Unmasked Destiny
Sakura sighed and plopped down on her canopy bed. For the past hour, she had to entertain Prince Kendo from the Mikari Kingdom. Being a princess is so dull!
There was a knock at her door.
"Come in!" she called out. In walked her Mistress of Robes and closest friend, Lady Tomoyo of Ishiokoa. "Tomoyo! Why didn't you inform me you were coming? I would have had a maid prepare tea!"
Tomoyo smiled, and Sakura felt a twinge of jealousy. Lady Tomoyo was beautiful and - in Sakura's opinion - the total opposite of herself. Lady Tomoyo had long raven hair that enhanced her pale skin. Her large amethyst eyes sparkled with laughter. All in all, she had a surreal appearance to her.
"There's no need for tea," replied Tomoyo. "I simply wanted to know if I was going to have to start sewing a wedding dress." Tomoyo smiled inwardly. She already knew what Sakura's reaction was going to be.
"Married to Prince Kendo?!" shouted Sakura angrily. "Have you gone mad? I can't stand being with him for an hour, nevermind an entire lifetime!"
Tomoyo chuckled, "I had a feeling you were going to say that." She sat next to her princess on the bed.
"You are so lucky!" cried Sakura. "You got to marry for love! I'm so jealous! You have your handsome husband, and I have no one!"
"You'll find him soon enough, and when you do, I'm sure not even being a princess will stop you from marrying him!" said Tomoyo confidently.
"Maybe," sighed Sakura. "You know, sometimes I dream about the perfect man. I can see that he is strong, has unruly brown hair, and the most intense amber eyes. He looks too perfect to be real."
Tomoyo had to hold in her laugh, though not for the reason you'd expect. "I'm sure you'll meet him one day. You never know, it could've been a premonition."
Sakura laughed, "Don't be silly Tomoyo-chan! That stuff isn't real! Besides, why would the Gods give me such gifts?"
Tomoyo shrugged. "You never know." She looked outside; the sun had just set. "I should probably return home to my 'handsome husband'."
Sakura nodded, and showed Lady Tomoyo to the door. They hugged briefly. "Good-bye Tomoyo," said Sakura.
"'Till tommorow!" called Tomoyo as she walked away.
Princess Sakura changed out of her gown and into her night clothes, then promptly cuddled into bed. She fell asleep dreaming of her mystery man.
"Does she suspect anything?" asked the man.
"It appears not, though I have learned she has been having dreams of him," responded the woman, putting her head on the man's shoulder.
"How interesting," he said. "So, we are absolutely positive she's the One?"
"I believe so, yes."
"Good!" smiled the man. "Remember not to mention this to any of the others."
"Of course not!" gasped the woman. "But enough of this, it's time for bed."
"You are right, my sweet," he laughed as he picked her up and carried her out of the room.
Sakura awoke smilling. She didn't know why, she was just happy. The young princess kicked off her covers and sprung out of bed. She got dressed, put her long hair in a french braid and proceeded to head to the dinning hall.
As she entered, she noticed her father was already sitting at the head of the table.
"Good morning Sakura," said King Fujitaka. "I trust you slept well?"
"Quite well father," smiled Sakura, "thank you for asking."
"I've been meaning to ask, how was your time with Prince Kendo?" inquired Fujitaka innocently.
Sakura groaned, "Don't even go there father! There's no way I'll ever get involved with that concieted man! For the whole hour, he tried to impress me by telling me how great he was, and informing me of all his feats! Besides, I've already told you! I want to marry for love, like Lady Tomoyo!"
"I'm beginning to think she's having a bad influence on you," sighed Fujitaka. "If you would at least give Prince Kendo a chance, I'm sure you'd grow to like him, maybe even love him. The Mikaries are powerful allies, and your union with the kingdom could ensure protection."
Now Sakura felt terrible. She had to chose between her heart and her kingdom. "I will have to think about it, " she said at last. The princess stood up and walked out, not realizing that she hadn't eaten anything.
King Fujitaka sighed. He didn't want to do this, but he had to think of his kingdom... and his daughter's future. He placed his head in his hands. He knew he would have to make her marry Kendo.
By now, Fujitaka had a migraine. He told a servant where he would be, and headed to his study. When he arrived, he gently laid down on the couch and fell asleep.
Fujitaka found himself in a meadow. It was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. There were rolling hills are far as the eye could see, covered in hundreds of colourful flowers. The light blue sky didn't have a single cloud, and birds seemed to be chirping praise.
The King's eye settled on a nearby hill. A woman was sitting at the base of a Cherry Blossom tree. Dark hair curled around a smooth, pale face. Emerald eyes twinkled with mirth as soft pink lips formed into a smile. It took Fujitaka a few moments to realize who the woman was.
"Nadeshiko?" he asked, not trusting his eyes. "Can it really be you? Are you really here?"
The woman laughed, "Yes, my love, it is I."
Fujitaka was at a loss for words. When his daughter had been three, his wife had suddenly disappeared. Everyone had presumed she had been kidnapped, and they would recieve a not for ransom. It never came. After a while, they concluded she was probably dead, as she loved her husband too much to betray him. "What happened to you, Nadeshiko?" he asked.
Sorrow appeared in Nadeshiko's eyes. As much as she longed to, she couldn't tell him her secret. Besides, there were more pressing matters right now. "Your question will soon be answered, but I have something very important to talk to you about... namely, our daughter."
"What about Sakura?" asked a confused Fujitaka.
Nadeshiko's face became serious. "She can't marry Prince Kendo. It is not what Fate has planned for her. Her destiny is so much more than producing heirs. It is a destiny that will change everything! Prince Kendo will make a good husband, but the man whom Fate decreed Sakura's soulmate will love her and protect her infinitely more! Please my love! If not for Sakura, then for me!"
Fujitaka gaped at her. How could his sweet, care-free wife be talking of such things? He looked into her large jade eyes. They were pleading with him; pleading with him to make the right choice. He sighed, something, he realized, he had been doing alot of lately. "Alright Nadeshiko, I trust you. Sakura will not marry Prince Kendo fo Mikari. Even though I'm not pleased about this, I trust your judgement."
Nadeshiko's face brightened. She jumped up and tackled him with a hug. They both fell over laughing, like they had when they were newly weds. The beautiful woman's lips pressed on to the King's . After a brief, but passionate kiss, they seperated and Nadeshiko got up. She listened to a voice only she could hear.
"It is time for you to leave," she said, avoiding his gaze as tears spilled down her face.
"I do not want to leave, but I know I must." Fujitaka stood up and took his wife into his arms. He tilted her face towards him. Unfallen tears glistened her eyes. "Will I see you again?"
She smiled, "Yes my love, we will see each other again. My the Glory of the Gods be with you..." Nadeshiko and the meadow blurred and faded into darkness.
When Fujitaka awoke, an hour had passed. Remembering all that he had lost, tears fell from his eyes.
There was a knock at the door. Fujitaka quickly dried his tears and sat down behind his desk. "Enter!" Sakura walked into the room. She had made her decision and was coming to inform her father. "Sakura, I have something to talk to you about." He gestured to the chairs in front of his desk.
"As have I, but you may go first," she replied, sitting in one of the carpet chairs.
Fujitaka smiled and arched an eyebrow, "If I went before a lady, what kind of gentleman would I be? You go first, I insist."
Sakura became nervous. "I-I've decided that I... I will not marry Prince Kendo and you cannot change my mind!" She waited for her father to get angryk, but he did something unexpected.
He smiled. "I can't say I'm surprised. You are, after all, your mother's daughter. As for Prince Kendo, you do not have to marry him."
Sakura was so happy, she felt like she was going to burst. "Oh father! Thank you so much!" she said as she ran around the desk to hug her father. She thought a second before asking, "What changed your mind?"
"Your mother. She was in my dreams. She told me not to make you marry the prince," the King responded. "Now, if you don't mind, I have alot of letters to write. Perhaps you should take a stroll in the gardens to clear your head."
"Alright," Sakura agreed and walked out of the room. As she was walking through the halls, she whispered, "Thank you mother." She felt that wherever her mother was, she had heard and was smiling.
A/N: Stay tuned for the next chapter!
