Hello everyone, welcome to my new story, Queen of Hearts!

This story is based off or inspired by Voices of Fire, a vocal musical by Van Canto. (By vocal i mean it isn't performed on stage, it's just an album of songs that tells the story)

I hope everyone enjoys the story and maybe goes and listens to Voices of Fire :P

Thunder crashed and lightning lit the dark sky over the realm of Light. Rain heavily pelted the ground in sheets without mercy, flooding towns and nearby rivers.

Inside the castle was dead silent, except for the anxious pacing footsteps of the royal princess outside the King's chambers as she awaited news of his condition.

Their kingdom was at war with the realm of Darkness, their sworn enemy. As the days slowly and painfully slipped by, the realm of Darkness slowly conquered more and more of the realm of Light. The King, Princess Sakura's older brother, had left three weeks ago to fight off the denizens that were attempting to invade the cities surrounding the City of Light, the royal capital. However, two days ago he had returned gravely injured. His condition had drastically worsened over the course of the last two days, leaving the castle fearing for his life.

Tap, tap, tap.

Sakura's footsteps echoed off the walls. She had barely slept or eaten, too busy worrying about her brother. She couldn't lose one of the last of her family-she wouldn't be able to go on without him. They had lost both their parents to The Realm of Darkness, and now they were trying to take her brother from her. It was unforgivable.

Standing nearby were her two royal guards, Kero and Yue, both watching her with concern. They had both tried countless times to get her to, at the very least, eat something but neither had been very successful. She had nibbled on a piece of fruit and that was about it.

"She's going to collapse if she doesn't get some rest and eat something!" the lion-like creature Cerberus, or Kero as Sakura liked to call him, grumbled irritably.

Yue said nothing. He shared the same concerns for the Princess, and if necessary, he would force feed her if he had to. Even reminding her of her baby daughter hadn't succeeded in getting her to take care of herself.

The door opened and Yukito stepped out. He had dark bags under his eyes and his silver hair was unkempt. Sakura looked up at her brother's advisor, best friend and lover with hope in her eyes, but he shook his head sadly.

"He wishes to speak with you." Yukito told her softly.

Sakura could feel tears forming in her eyes, but she bit them back and headed inside the dark room. Standing at her brothers' bedside was the royal physician who also looked completely and utterly exhausted. She turned her eyes to where her brother was lying in his bed and she was unable to hold back her tears. They slid down her cheeks and hung under her chin before dropping to the floor.

"Touya," she whispered hoarsely as she knelt beside his bed, taking one of his cold hands in both of her warm ones.

The king cracked open his brown eyes and smiled weakly upon seeing his little sister.

"Hey monster," he murmured, "Don't make such a sad face."

Sakura's lip trembled, but she managed to return his smile. "When are you going to stop calling me that?"

"Never." He coughed hard, "I'm sorry Sakura. I can't hold on much longer."

More tears slid down her cheeks. "I know." She whispered.

"Listen-in order to save our realm, we need his help." Touya rasped.

She furrowed her brow, "Who-"

"You know exactly who I'm talking about."

Sakura grit her teeth angrily. "No! We don't need him!"

"Sakura, listen to me. You MUST find him. Do whatever it takes. You're soon to be Queen, and as queen you must protect the Realm of Light." Touya spoke calmly but forcefully.

"No!" she cried, "I can't do that without you..."

"You can and you must. Sakura, he's our only hope." Touya spoke, "You know it's true."

Sakura sobbed. How could she look for the man who had betrayed her? She never wanted to see his face again.

"Sakura, he is still your husband and I know you still love him." Touya said, "He still has a duty to our kingdom."

She shook her head. "I can't, Touya. It's too much."

Although he was weak, Touya lifted his hand and placed it on top of her head in a comforting gesture. "I believe in you."

Sakura sobbed quietly. Fate was too cruel.

"Princess, he needs rest now." Yukito spoke softly at her side.

"If you don't mind, I'd like to stay with my brother for a while." She whispered, watching as Touya closed his eyes.

Yukito smiled with understanding. "Of course."

Sakura was grateful to Yukito for letting her stay at her brothers' side, but the lack of sleep and food was catching up to her. Tired, she decided to just rest her head for a bit. She was swallowed by the world of dreams and into a world where there was no death.

The princess was shaken awake a few hours later by Yukito. As soon as her eyes landed on her brothers unmoving body, she knew. She would never hear his voice or feel his warm touch again.

The king had passed.

Her brother was gone.

He was dead.

Please leave a review and let me know your thoughts! Constructive criticism is accepted. Please don't abuse me if you don't like it. Thanks!