Author's Note: Dear Kat, thank you for the name of Matt's friend! I find it most appropriate....
Chapter 3- Sakura's House
That evening was hot and sticky, and Rose couldn't sleep. For one thing, she was excited because Locke and Celes had announced to her and Matt that they would be spending all of tomorrow at Edgar and Terra's place, and they could each bring a friend. It was always fun going to Figaro Castle, mainly because it was huge and well...not boring like Kholingen. Plus, Edgar and Terra's kids were awesome, at least in Rose's opinion. All but one of their 6 children were adopted. The five that wern't were orphans that Terra had adopted long before she and Edgar got married, and they were all grown-ups with the exception of one guy named Lance, who was 16. The other non-grown-up in the family was Princess Renea, Edgar and Terra's only birth daughter. She was 13, and was very cool. Renea and Lance were also the only children who lived in the palace...the other 4 were scattered across the continent but always came home for parties and celebrations. Rose and Matt knew them pretty well too.
But another more haunting reason Rose couldn't fall asleep was because she was still worrying about the Cult of Kefka. Yes, Matt had told her not to worry at all, but for some reason, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something terrible might happen.
"Why am I worrying about this?" Rose asked her ceiling. "It's my birthday! And tomorrow, I'm going to invite Sakura over so we can both hang out with Renea and Lance! There is nothing to be sad about. Besides...I'm 15 now...and I can't be worrying about stupid stories at school."
With that, Rose burried her head deep in her pillow and smiled, closing her eyes. She couldn't wait!
The next morning, Celes woke Rose up and went into her closet to find her an outfit to wear while Rose was sitting in bed and rubbing her eyes.
"Mooooom, I can dress myself!" Rose yawned as she lazily crawled out of bed.
"I know honey, but I just wanted to suggest something for today." Celes said, continuing to dig. Rose's closet was not exactly organized.
"Why? It's not a big deal....We haven't had to dress up like this before." Rose protested. "It's just Lance and Renea."
"Well, what do you think of this?" Celes asked as she pulled out a light blue sundress and held it up to Rose's frame. Rose made a face and took it.
"Alright mom, anything you say!" Rose said, and tossed it on the bed. "I have to get dressed and hurry over to Sakura's to ask her to come over early so she can come with us."
"Alright, but you had best hurry up." Celes said, and put her hands on her hips. "Make sure Sakura is over here by the time Matt's friend is too, so we can leave as soon as possible."
"Who is Matt bringing?" Rose asked as she began to pull off her pajama bottoms and top. She stared in her mirror to adjust her bra and then slipped on the sundress, smoothing it down.
"I'm not sure." Celes said, and shrugged. Rose began to dig in her closet for a pair of matching shoes.
"I'm sure it is one of his annyoing snotty friends that will end up challenging me to a fight by the end of the day." Rose commented from the floor.
"A fight?" Celes asked worriedly.
"All of his friends end up doing that at once point or another." Rose said, finding a pair of patent leather white mary janes and strapping them on. "They all think that they can beat me and become friends with Matt just so they can try."
"Oh Rose." Celes shook her head. "You have an interesting way of seeing things."
"The truthful way!" Rose cried and jumped up, running a brush through her hair. She grabbed a blue ribbon and swept her hair back up into a ponytail, and then stood back to look at herself. She wasn't a beauty queen, but it was good enough.
"Hurry back." Celes said.
"I will Mom." Rose said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before brushing past her and running out of the house. She pounded down the main street of Kholingen and soon had left the town, heading west for Sakura's place. She really loathed running in dress shoes though. She also hated dresses. It was bad enough she was in a skirt 5 days of the week for school, and she considered a sundress torture. She always had to worry about whether pervert boys at who were watching her fight could see her panties when she was doing her kicks and flips, and moving around.
"I miss my pants..." Rose sniffled as she continued to run.
When she finally arrived at Sakura's mansion of a home practically in the middle of nowhere, she rushed up the front steps and hurriedly knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door opened, and there was Sakura herself, dressed in a white tea dress that reached her knees and swished when she moved. Pretty lace lined her colar and cuffs, and a light pink bow was tied at her waist on her back and a matching one in her hair. This was the way that Sakura dressed everyday.
"Hi Rose!" Sakura smiled, and opened the door wider. "Goodness, you look nice! But you also look out of breath. Is there an emergency?"
"No...not really..." Rose panted. "But, I wanted to know if you could come over early today. Mom and Dad are taking me and Matt to Figaro Palace, and we're gonna end up spending the night. Mom said I could invite you if I wanted."
"Oh, how lovely!" Sakura exclaimed. "Come in while I ask my mother, would you?"
"Sure." Rose said and stepped inside the marble hallway. Sakura hurried away into another room, and Rose let out a yawn and leaned against a wall. Sakura's house was too fancy for her comfort. Everywhere she turned, there was something rare or breakable. It was no wonder that Sakura was graceful...you practically had to tiptoe through the house as it was.
A few minutes later, Sakura's mother came in the hall where Rose was and smiled.
"Hi dear." She said, and Rose did a quick bow.
"Good morning Mrs. Himitsu." Rose said.
"Sakura will be out in a few moments, she's packing a small bag of over night supplies and getting your birthday gift." Mrs. Himitsu said, and smiled, reaching out to tuck some lose hair behind Rose's ears.
"You have lovely ears." She commented, and Rose raised her eyebrows. "Sakura's gift will be perfect." She pulled her hand away, and it was then that Rose noticed something red and almost scratched on Mrs. Himitsu's hand. She was about to look closer and question about it, when Sakura came in.
"Oh Mother, you gave it away!" Sakura protested as she entered, swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Oh did I? I'm sorry dear, but I didn't exactly." Mrs. Himitsu said, and Rose tried to look at her hand again. It had slipped under the long sleeve of Mrs. Himitsu's dress. Sakura poked Rose on the shoulder, and Rose quickly snapped out of it and looked at her friend.
"I am ready!" Sakura smiled.
"Becareful dear!" Mrs. Himitsu said, and kissed Sakura on the cheek.
"I will Mother." Sakura said, and waved as she pulled Rose out of the house.
"Bye!" Rose exclaimed, and waved also. But instead of waving back, Mrs. Himitsu just nodded and closed the door behind them. Rose and Sakura started to run back to Kholingen, without saying much.
".....Sakura?" Rose finally asked, and Sakura turned to her.
"Yes, Rose-chan?" She replied.
"I saw a weird mark on your mother's hand today." Rose said. "It looked like a bad scratch. Did she get hurt or something?"
"I noticed it as well, but she has not said anything to me." Sakura said. "But...the truth is, both Mom and Dad have been acting funny for the past few weeks. Dad went away on a business trip, but this one has lasted much longer then a normal one, and would you believe it, my mother almost wouldn't let me come with you to Figaro!"
"What, why?" Rose asked. Mrs. Himitsu had never had anything against her before, as far as she knew.
"I'm not sure." She said. "She muttered something under her breath that didn't make much sense to me, but I finally convinced her to let me join you."
".....Weird." Rose said softly, and looked up at the sky.
"But lets not worry about it." Sakura said, and pulled a small box out of her bag. "This is for you. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks!" Rose grinned. "Can I open it now?"
"Of course!" Sakura said, and smiled. Rose unwrapped the gift and dropped the wrapping on the ground, letting the wind carry it away. She pulled the lid off the small box that was now in her hands, and gasped.
Set inside was a silver necklace with a crystal charm on it that was the shape of a heart and had the initials R.C. carved in it. Also, to match, was a pair of small crystal heart earrings for Rose's pierced ears.
"Oh, Sakura..." Rose trailed off.
"Look, see, I have a matching set!" Sakura grinned, and pointed to her ear and neck. On her ears were identical earrings and around her neck was the same necklace, only with her initials S.H. on the front. Rose smiled and hugged Sakura tightly.
"This is so pretty...thank you!" Rose exclaimed. "I'll put them on as soon as we get home!"
"I was hoping you would like them." Sakura said. "I wanted to personalize your gift somehow."
"And you did a great job." Rose said, and giggled. "Thanks again!"
The two made it back to Rose's house, and escaped into Rose's room. Rose jumped on the bed and stretched out, letting out a yawn. Sakura set her bag down on the floor, and sat down also.
"So when do we leave?" Sakura asked.
"Soon, hopefully." Rose replied. "With Matt and his prissy friend here, I bet it will take twice as long to leave as usual. Matt loves to show off to Renea."
"You mean, the Princess of Figaro?" Sakura asked. "But she's younger then you guys!"
"Well, that has never stopped him before." Rose said, and they both burst out laughing.
"Oh, lets put on your necklace!" Sakura exclaimed. She took Rose's gift and opened it, pulling out the silver necklace and gently fastening it around Rose's neck. Rose looked down at her chest and grinned. The necklace fit nicely, falling right above the neckline on her dress.
"Look!" Sakura smiled as she reached over on Rose's nightstand and pulled up a small hand mirror to show her. Rose smiled at her reflection and looked to Sakura. "Here, put in your earrings too!" Rose did so, and flashed a smile.
"Rose, Sakura!" Celes called from the living room. "Time to go!"
"Alright!" Rose called back, and stood up. "Finally...!" She grabbed Sakura's hand and opened her door.
Sakura and Rose left the room, and met up with Matt, his friend Rose didn't recognize, Locke, and Celes. Matt's friend looked at Rose and Sakura, holding hands, and smirked, whispering something to Matt. Matt's eyes widened and he slapped his friend on the back of the head.
"Don't say stuff like that!" He cried, and his friend laughed. Locke and Celes were paying no attention, because they were semi-arguing over which route to Figaro would be the quickest to go.
"You got something to say?" Rose smirked, and grabbed him by the colar.
"Ack!" He cried. "Ummmmm....!"
"What are you kids doing?" Locke asked absentmindedly as he and Celes were now looking over a map.
"Making intro...DUCTions!" Matt's friend choked out as Rose smirked and pulled his colar tighter. "Hi girls, I'm Jack!"
"Hello Jack." Rose said sweetly, and released her grip. Sakura giggled and said nothing. "Nice friend you have here, Matt..."
"Erm." Was all Matt said in reply.
"Alright, now we've got it!" Celes exclaimed, and folded up their map. "Jack, did you and Matt walk over to town and rent out those chocobos we needed?"
"Yes Mom." Matt said. "Come on Jack, lets get the one we picked out!" With that, the two boys ran outside, and Rose rolled her eyes.
"Mom, Dad, can me and Sakura have Alex?" Rose asked, and Celes nodded.
"Yes, we'd rather you ride a chocobo you are familiar with." She said, and Rose grinned. "Alright! Come on, Sakura-Chan!" Rose and Sakura went outside also, and began to attatch their overnight bags to Alex's saddle. Alex kneeled down as Rose got on first, and then Sakura behind her. Rose grabbed Alex's reins and made sure they were on nice and tight.
"I...have never rode one of these before." Sakura said nervously.
"Don't worry, Alex is a good boy." Rose said, patting him on the head. "He'll go as fast or slow as I tell him to, ok?"
"Yes." Sakura said.
"Just make sure you hold onto me tightly." Rose added. "Just incase Alex gets scared and tries to knock you off."
"Oh, alright!" Sakura added, turning white. She gently patted Alex's side, murmuring "Good boy, gooood boy...."
A few moments later, Locke and Celes came outside, locking the house behind them and getting on the last chocobo that was standing in the yard. It was easy to tell it was a rental because of the red colar around its neck, just like the one around Matt and Jack's chocobo.
"Now, just make sure to follow us at all times, ok?" Locke called from his and Celes' chocobo. "If you need to stop and rest, tell us."
"Yes!" All four of the kids said in unison. Rose felt Sakura's grip around her waist tighten before Alex had even taken a step forward. Rose smiled to herself and tried not to laugh thinking about how hard a 'country life' like hers would be for the spoiled Sakura. She knew she would feel right at home at Figaro Castle.
But suddenly, Rose remembered how Sakura's parents had almost not let her go, and how Sakura had said they had been acting funny lately. Rose looked back at Sakura, who was giving a glare in Jack's direction. Jack was smirking and making kissy lips, and Matt was trying to calm him down. Rose sighed a little and looked down at her hands that were gripping Alex's reins.
She suddenly found herself very worried about her best friend.
Chapter 3- Sakura's House
That evening was hot and sticky, and Rose couldn't sleep. For one thing, she was excited because Locke and Celes had announced to her and Matt that they would be spending all of tomorrow at Edgar and Terra's place, and they could each bring a friend. It was always fun going to Figaro Castle, mainly because it was huge and well...not boring like Kholingen. Plus, Edgar and Terra's kids were awesome, at least in Rose's opinion. All but one of their 6 children were adopted. The five that wern't were orphans that Terra had adopted long before she and Edgar got married, and they were all grown-ups with the exception of one guy named Lance, who was 16. The other non-grown-up in the family was Princess Renea, Edgar and Terra's only birth daughter. She was 13, and was very cool. Renea and Lance were also the only children who lived in the palace...the other 4 were scattered across the continent but always came home for parties and celebrations. Rose and Matt knew them pretty well too.
But another more haunting reason Rose couldn't fall asleep was because she was still worrying about the Cult of Kefka. Yes, Matt had told her not to worry at all, but for some reason, she couldn't shake off the feeling that something terrible might happen.
"Why am I worrying about this?" Rose asked her ceiling. "It's my birthday! And tomorrow, I'm going to invite Sakura over so we can both hang out with Renea and Lance! There is nothing to be sad about. Besides...I'm 15 now...and I can't be worrying about stupid stories at school."
With that, Rose burried her head deep in her pillow and smiled, closing her eyes. She couldn't wait!
The next morning, Celes woke Rose up and went into her closet to find her an outfit to wear while Rose was sitting in bed and rubbing her eyes.
"Mooooom, I can dress myself!" Rose yawned as she lazily crawled out of bed.
"I know honey, but I just wanted to suggest something for today." Celes said, continuing to dig. Rose's closet was not exactly organized.
"Why? It's not a big deal....We haven't had to dress up like this before." Rose protested. "It's just Lance and Renea."
"Well, what do you think of this?" Celes asked as she pulled out a light blue sundress and held it up to Rose's frame. Rose made a face and took it.
"Alright mom, anything you say!" Rose said, and tossed it on the bed. "I have to get dressed and hurry over to Sakura's to ask her to come over early so she can come with us."
"Alright, but you had best hurry up." Celes said, and put her hands on her hips. "Make sure Sakura is over here by the time Matt's friend is too, so we can leave as soon as possible."
"Who is Matt bringing?" Rose asked as she began to pull off her pajama bottoms and top. She stared in her mirror to adjust her bra and then slipped on the sundress, smoothing it down.
"I'm not sure." Celes said, and shrugged. Rose began to dig in her closet for a pair of matching shoes.
"I'm sure it is one of his annyoing snotty friends that will end up challenging me to a fight by the end of the day." Rose commented from the floor.
"A fight?" Celes asked worriedly.
"All of his friends end up doing that at once point or another." Rose said, finding a pair of patent leather white mary janes and strapping them on. "They all think that they can beat me and become friends with Matt just so they can try."
"Oh Rose." Celes shook her head. "You have an interesting way of seeing things."
"The truthful way!" Rose cried and jumped up, running a brush through her hair. She grabbed a blue ribbon and swept her hair back up into a ponytail, and then stood back to look at herself. She wasn't a beauty queen, but it was good enough.
"Hurry back." Celes said.
"I will Mom." Rose said, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before brushing past her and running out of the house. She pounded down the main street of Kholingen and soon had left the town, heading west for Sakura's place. She really loathed running in dress shoes though. She also hated dresses. It was bad enough she was in a skirt 5 days of the week for school, and she considered a sundress torture. She always had to worry about whether pervert boys at who were watching her fight could see her panties when she was doing her kicks and flips, and moving around.
"I miss my pants..." Rose sniffled as she continued to run.
When she finally arrived at Sakura's mansion of a home practically in the middle of nowhere, she rushed up the front steps and hurriedly knocked on the door. A few moments later, the door opened, and there was Sakura herself, dressed in a white tea dress that reached her knees and swished when she moved. Pretty lace lined her colar and cuffs, and a light pink bow was tied at her waist on her back and a matching one in her hair. This was the way that Sakura dressed everyday.
"Hi Rose!" Sakura smiled, and opened the door wider. "Goodness, you look nice! But you also look out of breath. Is there an emergency?"
"No...not really..." Rose panted. "But, I wanted to know if you could come over early today. Mom and Dad are taking me and Matt to Figaro Palace, and we're gonna end up spending the night. Mom said I could invite you if I wanted."
"Oh, how lovely!" Sakura exclaimed. "Come in while I ask my mother, would you?"
"Sure." Rose said and stepped inside the marble hallway. Sakura hurried away into another room, and Rose let out a yawn and leaned against a wall. Sakura's house was too fancy for her comfort. Everywhere she turned, there was something rare or breakable. It was no wonder that Sakura was graceful...you practically had to tiptoe through the house as it was.
A few minutes later, Sakura's mother came in the hall where Rose was and smiled.
"Hi dear." She said, and Rose did a quick bow.
"Good morning Mrs. Himitsu." Rose said.
"Sakura will be out in a few moments, she's packing a small bag of over night supplies and getting your birthday gift." Mrs. Himitsu said, and smiled, reaching out to tuck some lose hair behind Rose's ears.
"You have lovely ears." She commented, and Rose raised her eyebrows. "Sakura's gift will be perfect." She pulled her hand away, and it was then that Rose noticed something red and almost scratched on Mrs. Himitsu's hand. She was about to look closer and question about it, when Sakura came in.
"Oh Mother, you gave it away!" Sakura protested as she entered, swinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Oh did I? I'm sorry dear, but I didn't exactly." Mrs. Himitsu said, and Rose tried to look at her hand again. It had slipped under the long sleeve of Mrs. Himitsu's dress. Sakura poked Rose on the shoulder, and Rose quickly snapped out of it and looked at her friend.
"I am ready!" Sakura smiled.
"Becareful dear!" Mrs. Himitsu said, and kissed Sakura on the cheek.
"I will Mother." Sakura said, and waved as she pulled Rose out of the house.
"Bye!" Rose exclaimed, and waved also. But instead of waving back, Mrs. Himitsu just nodded and closed the door behind them. Rose and Sakura started to run back to Kholingen, without saying much.
".....Sakura?" Rose finally asked, and Sakura turned to her.
"Yes, Rose-chan?" She replied.
"I saw a weird mark on your mother's hand today." Rose said. "It looked like a bad scratch. Did she get hurt or something?"
"I noticed it as well, but she has not said anything to me." Sakura said. "But...the truth is, both Mom and Dad have been acting funny for the past few weeks. Dad went away on a business trip, but this one has lasted much longer then a normal one, and would you believe it, my mother almost wouldn't let me come with you to Figaro!"
"What, why?" Rose asked. Mrs. Himitsu had never had anything against her before, as far as she knew.
"I'm not sure." She said. "She muttered something under her breath that didn't make much sense to me, but I finally convinced her to let me join you."
".....Weird." Rose said softly, and looked up at the sky.
"But lets not worry about it." Sakura said, and pulled a small box out of her bag. "This is for you. Happy Birthday."
"Thanks!" Rose grinned. "Can I open it now?"
"Of course!" Sakura said, and smiled. Rose unwrapped the gift and dropped the wrapping on the ground, letting the wind carry it away. She pulled the lid off the small box that was now in her hands, and gasped.
Set inside was a silver necklace with a crystal charm on it that was the shape of a heart and had the initials R.C. carved in it. Also, to match, was a pair of small crystal heart earrings for Rose's pierced ears.
"Oh, Sakura..." Rose trailed off.
"Look, see, I have a matching set!" Sakura grinned, and pointed to her ear and neck. On her ears were identical earrings and around her neck was the same necklace, only with her initials S.H. on the front. Rose smiled and hugged Sakura tightly.
"This is so pretty...thank you!" Rose exclaimed. "I'll put them on as soon as we get home!"
"I was hoping you would like them." Sakura said. "I wanted to personalize your gift somehow."
"And you did a great job." Rose said, and giggled. "Thanks again!"
The two made it back to Rose's house, and escaped into Rose's room. Rose jumped on the bed and stretched out, letting out a yawn. Sakura set her bag down on the floor, and sat down also.
"So when do we leave?" Sakura asked.
"Soon, hopefully." Rose replied. "With Matt and his prissy friend here, I bet it will take twice as long to leave as usual. Matt loves to show off to Renea."
"You mean, the Princess of Figaro?" Sakura asked. "But she's younger then you guys!"
"Well, that has never stopped him before." Rose said, and they both burst out laughing.
"Oh, lets put on your necklace!" Sakura exclaimed. She took Rose's gift and opened it, pulling out the silver necklace and gently fastening it around Rose's neck. Rose looked down at her chest and grinned. The necklace fit nicely, falling right above the neckline on her dress.
"Look!" Sakura smiled as she reached over on Rose's nightstand and pulled up a small hand mirror to show her. Rose smiled at her reflection and looked to Sakura. "Here, put in your earrings too!" Rose did so, and flashed a smile.
"Rose, Sakura!" Celes called from the living room. "Time to go!"
"Alright!" Rose called back, and stood up. "Finally...!" She grabbed Sakura's hand and opened her door.
Sakura and Rose left the room, and met up with Matt, his friend Rose didn't recognize, Locke, and Celes. Matt's friend looked at Rose and Sakura, holding hands, and smirked, whispering something to Matt. Matt's eyes widened and he slapped his friend on the back of the head.
"Don't say stuff like that!" He cried, and his friend laughed. Locke and Celes were paying no attention, because they were semi-arguing over which route to Figaro would be the quickest to go.
"You got something to say?" Rose smirked, and grabbed him by the colar.
"Ack!" He cried. "Ummmmm....!"
"What are you kids doing?" Locke asked absentmindedly as he and Celes were now looking over a map.
"Making intro...DUCTions!" Matt's friend choked out as Rose smirked and pulled his colar tighter. "Hi girls, I'm Jack!"
"Hello Jack." Rose said sweetly, and released her grip. Sakura giggled and said nothing. "Nice friend you have here, Matt..."
"Erm." Was all Matt said in reply.
"Alright, now we've got it!" Celes exclaimed, and folded up their map. "Jack, did you and Matt walk over to town and rent out those chocobos we needed?"
"Yes Mom." Matt said. "Come on Jack, lets get the one we picked out!" With that, the two boys ran outside, and Rose rolled her eyes.
"Mom, Dad, can me and Sakura have Alex?" Rose asked, and Celes nodded.
"Yes, we'd rather you ride a chocobo you are familiar with." She said, and Rose grinned. "Alright! Come on, Sakura-Chan!" Rose and Sakura went outside also, and began to attatch their overnight bags to Alex's saddle. Alex kneeled down as Rose got on first, and then Sakura behind her. Rose grabbed Alex's reins and made sure they were on nice and tight.
"I...have never rode one of these before." Sakura said nervously.
"Don't worry, Alex is a good boy." Rose said, patting him on the head. "He'll go as fast or slow as I tell him to, ok?"
"Yes." Sakura said.
"Just make sure you hold onto me tightly." Rose added. "Just incase Alex gets scared and tries to knock you off."
"Oh, alright!" Sakura added, turning white. She gently patted Alex's side, murmuring "Good boy, gooood boy...."
A few moments later, Locke and Celes came outside, locking the house behind them and getting on the last chocobo that was standing in the yard. It was easy to tell it was a rental because of the red colar around its neck, just like the one around Matt and Jack's chocobo.
"Now, just make sure to follow us at all times, ok?" Locke called from his and Celes' chocobo. "If you need to stop and rest, tell us."
"Yes!" All four of the kids said in unison. Rose felt Sakura's grip around her waist tighten before Alex had even taken a step forward. Rose smiled to herself and tried not to laugh thinking about how hard a 'country life' like hers would be for the spoiled Sakura. She knew she would feel right at home at Figaro Castle.
But suddenly, Rose remembered how Sakura's parents had almost not let her go, and how Sakura had said they had been acting funny lately. Rose looked back at Sakura, who was giving a glare in Jack's direction. Jack was smirking and making kissy lips, and Matt was trying to calm him down. Rose sighed a little and looked down at her hands that were gripping Alex's reins.
She suddenly found herself very worried about her best friend.