Plum Blossoming
Prologue- The Past
By: Lady Crescent Moon
Standard Disclaimers Apply
AN: This story is taken from a Chinese movie series, called "mei hua san nong"(pinyin, for
those of you who know what it means...). I'm not taking any credit for the creation of this story
but it's so good that I decided to make a Serena/Darien fanfic out of it. Some parts might be changed, however. I decided to fill in, add, or change the story so that it made more sense to the story of Sailor Moon. Please bear with me if it doesn't make sense... ^.^
AN2: In the beginning it might be kind of confusing but try to follow along. It'll be
better later on in the story.
AN3: "the instrument" is referred to one that comes from China. I really have no idea what the
English translation of it is so I will just stick with "the instrument." I'm sorry that it sounds so funky but it'll have to do.
AN4: In order to corporate "mei hua san nong" into a Sailor Moon universe, I have to adapt many things. Just think of it as a weird alternate reality.
AN5: indicates thoughts
Chapter 1 - Simple Happiness
~ten years later~
He could hardly believe how much she had grown already and felt a pang in his heart. His wife, Ikuko, had died four years ago but he still missed her like crazy. She was his love, friend, companion, and everything that he needed combined into one woman. He wished with everything he had that she could one day magically appear within their sight and proclaim that she was back but had no luck. There was no magic, no appearance, and no Ikuko. Kenji sighed but he thanked God he still had her. She was his baby, and would be forever, no matter how grown she was. He looked at her with love shining in his eyes. He still remembered the day when he and his love had found her, bundled in a cradle, floating with the drifts of the river. No matter how awful it sounded, he had to admit that he was thankful she was abandoned. He was thankful they made the right choice to keep her and raise her like their own daughter.
As she grew each day, her beauty magnified. Gentle and calm, she captured the hearts of those she met and befriended. Irresistibly adorable and sweet, those that met her never had a chance. Her soft blond hair caught the rays of the sun and it shone as she sang and danced to the rhythm. Her bright blue eyes sparkled merrily, and she forgot all of her worries and fears of the future.
They were singing at a marketplace, one that was crowded and swarming as the people bustled for their everyday routines and needs. Her melodious voice sang mellifluously as her father played his instrument. Together, they made quite a pair and attracted a lot of attention from those who could not stay away from her beautiful singing.
It's just like the old days with Ikuko and I Kenji thought, as he strummed his instrument to the tune. She has grown so much like her.
She sang happily, without nervousness or worry. She loved singing; it was her passion. She also loved to play the instrument as well. Her parents had taught her well. An extremely bright and eager student, she picked up quickly in learning how to sing and play the instrument.
People came and went, dropping a few coins as they went along. Many stopped and listened, enjoying the harmonious singing and they smiled at the warm pair of the father and daughter. As the day progressed, the crowds at the market place diminished. They were at home, preparing for that day's evening meal. The two decided to pack up and finish for the day.
"We did very well today, Serena," Kenji said as they walked back to their cottage in a nearby forest. He counted the coins they had earned and smiled, for it was enough for the next day's meal.
"That's good, papa. We won't have to worry about tomorrow's meal then." Serena poured out what was left of that morning's porridge and divided the amount into their two bowls. "Just enough," she said cheerfully. She sat down and began digging into her bowl.
Chuckling at her idyllic and simple happiness, he smiled at his daughter and began digging in as well.
* * *
In a palace not far away, a boy of ten years old was happily hunting with his father and stepbrother. They were in a field, hunting an elusive white furred fox. Rows of knights and guards were in the back, watching the royal men hunt.
Movement in the forest.
A flash of white fur.
He followed its movements quickly and stealthily got closer to the fox. He raised the net above his head and swung it at the fox, the net capturing its prey. He had finally caught it. He showed it to his father and stepbrother, who was just two years younger than him.
"Great job, Darien! You have exceptional skill, at such a young age! I'm so proud of you!" the King said to his first-born son, pleased. "Now since you caught it, you have the privilege of keeping its great white fur." He handed Darien a knife, intended for gutting animals. The innards were to be thrown away but the fur was kept for later purposes.
He took the knife hesitantly, not wanting to do such a cruel thing. He looked over to the fox and saw its wide eyes staring back at him. He stood, transfixed at its lifelike eyes and he decided without difficulty he wasn't going to do it. He just couldn't.
"Dad...I don't think it's such a good idea to kill it," he said to his father.
"What? Why? You caught it. You should keep the fur as a token of your great hunting skills," the king said, puzzled at his son's decision.
"If Darien's such a girl that he can't do it, then I will!" Andrew proclaimed as he stepped forward, eager to prove to his father that he could do just as well as his older brother. He didn't like the fact that Darien got all the attention and praise of how great he was, all the time.
"No," King Alexander said to his second son. "Darien caught it and he has the right to make the decision." Turning to him, he asked why exactly did he make that choice.
"Well...you've always taught me to be benevolent and kind to everyone, especially when they were in time of need. You always told me to be impartial and just, when I become king. Why should this be any different? If I chose to kill this innocent fox, I would be going against what you have taught me," Darien said to his father.
He looked at his son with great admiration and pride. He was surprised at how wise and virtuous he was, even at such an early age. "Yes, my son. You are correct. But...you should have something as a souvenir of this day. Malachite...cut a piece of fur off of the tail."
A white haired general in his middle age stepped forward and took the knife. He gently cut off a piece of fur and handed it to the young master who looked at it with awe.
"Thanks Malachite!" Darien said happily.
Andrew looked on with jealousy, wishing that he could have the same.
Darien's mother proudly gave him the jade piece. Attached to it was the piece of fur from the white fox and he smiled at the surprise.
"I attached it to the jade so that you wouldn't loose it years from now. That way, you can still keep it and look back to this day."
"Wow! Thanks mom!"
"You're such a good boy, Darien. I'm so glad that I have a son like you," she said, as her eyes got misty. She was thinking about *it* again, even though the incident was suppose to be wiped out from the memory of those who took part of it. It was suppose to be forgotten and thrown into the wind to be blown away, as if it never occurred. Of course, that wasn't possible, especially for Serenity. No, it was still fresh in her mind, as if it happened just yesterday. She sighed, forgetting Darien was even there.
"Mom? Are you all right? You sound so sad," he said with concern. He saw her like this many times but whenever he asked about it, she always changed the subject.
"Yes, sweetie. Don't you worry about me," she said as she brushed the jet-black hair out of his eyes. His hair is getting too long she thought. It's getting harder to see his cerulean blue.
No one ever questioned who he had gotten his sharp features from. No matter that he didn't look like his mother or his father, who had soft and elegant features. His hair was too dark as well. Queen Serenity and King Terrance both had light hair so it was quite an anomaly when he grew to have jet-black hair. He was quite handsome, nonetheless, and Serenity knew he was going to be a serious heartbreaker one day.
Prologue- The Past
By: Lady Crescent Moon
Standard Disclaimers Apply
AN: This story is taken from a Chinese movie series, called "mei hua san nong"(pinyin, for
those of you who know what it means...). I'm not taking any credit for the creation of this story
but it's so good that I decided to make a Serena/Darien fanfic out of it. Some parts might be changed, however. I decided to fill in, add, or change the story so that it made more sense to the story of Sailor Moon. Please bear with me if it doesn't make sense... ^.^
AN2: In the beginning it might be kind of confusing but try to follow along. It'll be
better later on in the story.
AN3: "the instrument" is referred to one that comes from China. I really have no idea what the
English translation of it is so I will just stick with "the instrument." I'm sorry that it sounds so funky but it'll have to do.
AN4: In order to corporate "mei hua san nong" into a Sailor Moon universe, I have to adapt many things. Just think of it as a weird alternate reality.
AN5: indicates thoughts
Chapter 1 - Simple Happiness
~ten years later~
He could hardly believe how much she had grown already and felt a pang in his heart. His wife, Ikuko, had died four years ago but he still missed her like crazy. She was his love, friend, companion, and everything that he needed combined into one woman. He wished with everything he had that she could one day magically appear within their sight and proclaim that she was back but had no luck. There was no magic, no appearance, and no Ikuko. Kenji sighed but he thanked God he still had her. She was his baby, and would be forever, no matter how grown she was. He looked at her with love shining in his eyes. He still remembered the day when he and his love had found her, bundled in a cradle, floating with the drifts of the river. No matter how awful it sounded, he had to admit that he was thankful she was abandoned. He was thankful they made the right choice to keep her and raise her like their own daughter.
As she grew each day, her beauty magnified. Gentle and calm, she captured the hearts of those she met and befriended. Irresistibly adorable and sweet, those that met her never had a chance. Her soft blond hair caught the rays of the sun and it shone as she sang and danced to the rhythm. Her bright blue eyes sparkled merrily, and she forgot all of her worries and fears of the future.
They were singing at a marketplace, one that was crowded and swarming as the people bustled for their everyday routines and needs. Her melodious voice sang mellifluously as her father played his instrument. Together, they made quite a pair and attracted a lot of attention from those who could not stay away from her beautiful singing.
It's just like the old days with Ikuko and I Kenji thought, as he strummed his instrument to the tune. She has grown so much like her.
She sang happily, without nervousness or worry. She loved singing; it was her passion. She also loved to play the instrument as well. Her parents had taught her well. An extremely bright and eager student, she picked up quickly in learning how to sing and play the instrument.
People came and went, dropping a few coins as they went along. Many stopped and listened, enjoying the harmonious singing and they smiled at the warm pair of the father and daughter. As the day progressed, the crowds at the market place diminished. They were at home, preparing for that day's evening meal. The two decided to pack up and finish for the day.
"We did very well today, Serena," Kenji said as they walked back to their cottage in a nearby forest. He counted the coins they had earned and smiled, for it was enough for the next day's meal.
"That's good, papa. We won't have to worry about tomorrow's meal then." Serena poured out what was left of that morning's porridge and divided the amount into their two bowls. "Just enough," she said cheerfully. She sat down and began digging into her bowl.
Chuckling at her idyllic and simple happiness, he smiled at his daughter and began digging in as well.
* * *
In a palace not far away, a boy of ten years old was happily hunting with his father and stepbrother. They were in a field, hunting an elusive white furred fox. Rows of knights and guards were in the back, watching the royal men hunt.
Movement in the forest.
A flash of white fur.
He followed its movements quickly and stealthily got closer to the fox. He raised the net above his head and swung it at the fox, the net capturing its prey. He had finally caught it. He showed it to his father and stepbrother, who was just two years younger than him.
"Great job, Darien! You have exceptional skill, at such a young age! I'm so proud of you!" the King said to his first-born son, pleased. "Now since you caught it, you have the privilege of keeping its great white fur." He handed Darien a knife, intended for gutting animals. The innards were to be thrown away but the fur was kept for later purposes.
He took the knife hesitantly, not wanting to do such a cruel thing. He looked over to the fox and saw its wide eyes staring back at him. He stood, transfixed at its lifelike eyes and he decided without difficulty he wasn't going to do it. He just couldn't.
"Dad...I don't think it's such a good idea to kill it," he said to his father.
"What? Why? You caught it. You should keep the fur as a token of your great hunting skills," the king said, puzzled at his son's decision.
"If Darien's such a girl that he can't do it, then I will!" Andrew proclaimed as he stepped forward, eager to prove to his father that he could do just as well as his older brother. He didn't like the fact that Darien got all the attention and praise of how great he was, all the time.
"No," King Alexander said to his second son. "Darien caught it and he has the right to make the decision." Turning to him, he asked why exactly did he make that choice.
"Well...you've always taught me to be benevolent and kind to everyone, especially when they were in time of need. You always told me to be impartial and just, when I become king. Why should this be any different? If I chose to kill this innocent fox, I would be going against what you have taught me," Darien said to his father.
He looked at his son with great admiration and pride. He was surprised at how wise and virtuous he was, even at such an early age. "Yes, my son. You are correct. But...you should have something as a souvenir of this day. Malachite...cut a piece of fur off of the tail."
A white haired general in his middle age stepped forward and took the knife. He gently cut off a piece of fur and handed it to the young master who looked at it with awe.
"Thanks Malachite!" Darien said happily.
Andrew looked on with jealousy, wishing that he could have the same.
Darien's mother proudly gave him the jade piece. Attached to it was the piece of fur from the white fox and he smiled at the surprise.
"I attached it to the jade so that you wouldn't loose it years from now. That way, you can still keep it and look back to this day."
"Wow! Thanks mom!"
"You're such a good boy, Darien. I'm so glad that I have a son like you," she said, as her eyes got misty. She was thinking about *it* again, even though the incident was suppose to be wiped out from the memory of those who took part of it. It was suppose to be forgotten and thrown into the wind to be blown away, as if it never occurred. Of course, that wasn't possible, especially for Serenity. No, it was still fresh in her mind, as if it happened just yesterday. She sighed, forgetting Darien was even there.
"Mom? Are you all right? You sound so sad," he said with concern. He saw her like this many times but whenever he asked about it, she always changed the subject.
"Yes, sweetie. Don't you worry about me," she said as she brushed the jet-black hair out of his eyes. His hair is getting too long she thought. It's getting harder to see his cerulean blue.
No one ever questioned who he had gotten his sharp features from. No matter that he didn't look like his mother or his father, who had soft and elegant features. His hair was too dark as well. Queen Serenity and King Terrance both had light hair so it was quite an anomaly when he grew to have jet-black hair. He was quite handsome, nonetheless, and Serenity knew he was going to be a serious heartbreaker one day.