AN: The reviews… they really are such an inspiration to write. Thank you.
Kuroi Black Nightingale – Making an estimate… I'd have to say this story will last for about fifteen chapters, take or give a few. I'm so glad you like it.
Crazyamzy – I'm really sorry that I made Miyako a villain and I'm even more sorry that I doubt there will be a second villain. Part of the changes I made was that I just decided to keep it as one stepsister, though I really loved it in Ever After when one of the stepsisters turned out to be really kind. Thanks for reviewing!
Mrs. Ishida-to-you – Yes! Ella Enchanted rocked my socks and the movie was such such a terrible let down. Okay… maybe I don't have the right to say that since I didn't watch it, but honestly, I'm not a fan of Anne Hathaway and just watching the commercial turned me off. Ella Enchanted was a beautiful, simply beautiful book and the movie was a horrendous twist… in my opinion of course. So glad you share the same view, lol.
SallyGirl – Really, while I was watching the show, I was completely appalled by Mimi and I can see why so many people put her into the role of the villain. But, after reading so many fanfics, I've come to like Mimi more and I've decided I like her best as Sora's best friend. Hehe, Mimi will definitely make an appearance in this story, but it'll be later on. And yes, YES I'm so eager to read the next chapter of Jumping the Fence, so update!
Again, thanks to all the reviewers and readers!
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Disclaimer: Digimon is not mine.
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Chapter Three – IrisesSora lay on her bed, back bare, letting the medicine settle into the fresh wounds on her back. True to her word, Miyako had informed Lady Inoue of Sora's disobedience and the fiery woman soon found herself being whipped mercilessly. The bloody gashes on her once flawless back were all the evidence needed.
She sighed and adverted her ruby eyes to the window and the dark starry night beyond the glass. Most servants' quarters didn't have a window, but Sora had been fortunate enough to have a generously sized one in her room—then again, she was no mere servant.
Janine had sat by the bedside earlier, making sure Sora got all the attention needed. Very rarely were other servants whipped, but it seemed that taking the leather to Sora's back was a hobby of Lady Inoue's. Miyako had ensured plenty of chores for the young woman to complete the next day, little did she know that Marianne, Samuel, and Janine had already set out to finish the tasks.
The auburn headed female stared at the skies outside, a single question swimming in her mind. When Janine had been there moments ago, the brunette had asked a simple question: was it worth it? From the moment Sora spoke to Prince Yamato, she knew a whipping was to follow—but she continued. What had compelled her to spend time with the prince was a mystery to Sora. Perhaps it was the simple fact that he remembered her from so many years ago… his honest words, or perhaps it was the way she felt his eyes bore into her. His perfect, deep cobalt orbs…
Sora could have slapped herself—if the action didn't mean inflicting excruciating pain. She had just gotten punished for talking to the prince, and here she was, thinking about the color of his eyes, baritone voice, and golden hair that really did put the most golden of daffodils to shame. Was it worth it? To spend even a minute in heaven and be lashed brutally for it later… Sora laughed, since when had she gotten so poetic? She buried her face in the soft pillow, closing her eyes and forcing sleep to take her away.
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The sun shone brightly on the young prince currently seated on a bench in the palace gardens. Yamato stared absentmindedly at the irises, a small smile playing at his lips. He wasn't able to describe it, but suddenly, everything seemed to be so much more beautiful.
"They told me I might find you here."
The blonde turned in the direction of the voice, "Good morning, mother."
"I hear you've been doing nothing but sitting here since you woke." Queen Natsuko took a seat beside her son and sighed, "How long have you been out here, Yamato? I was told that you did not have your breakfast this morning."
He shrugged, "I was here before the sun."
"Goodness Yamato, why?"
"I couldn't sleep."
The queen faltered, "I hear you were in the gardens yesterday, after you had excused yourself to go to the bathroom."
"Yes," Yamato replied, oblivious to the smirk on his mother's face.
"Did the flowers attract your attention?"
"Yes."
"Were they pretty?"
The prince paused as his eyes darted to one of the willow trees. He stared at the shade with his piercing blue eyes, as if he tried hard enough, something would materialize. "Beautiful."
"Is it in our gardens?"
"No."
"Then…" Queen Natsuko held a finger to her chin, pretending to be thinking, "I suggest you go back and ask for it."
Yamato turned quickly to stare at his mother with wide eyes, receiving a wink. "Mother."
"Yes dear?"
"Do you believe that Haruhiko's daughter passed away?"
"…why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
The queen paused, choosing her words carefully. "Lord Haruhiko was widely known as 'a handsome man of fire'. Fiery hair and the eyes to match were his special traits, a rarity." With a laugh, Queen Natsuko stood, "I'm off to look for your father. Men, always running wherever they please."
Yamato watched as his mother retreated into the palace and then returned his gaze to the willow tree. He knew exactly who was on his mind, and he also knew why; Sora was simply a story to him, nothing more.
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While the prince sat in the palace gardens, sorting out his thoughts, Sora was working in the kitchen. During lunch, Janine and Sora both helped Marianne in the kitchen, preparing and serving the dishes.
"One day Sora, you'll be living somewhere grand and you won't have to do this anymore." Janine mused.
The auburn haired woman laughed, "When it comes true, I'll be sure to take you with me."
"Don't forget the cook!" Marianne chimed in from the other side of the kitchen where she had been listening in to the two's conversation.
Sora smiled, "Never. I'll take Janine, you, and Sam with me!"
"Good. Remember that."
Janine sighed dreamily, "I'd give anything to live in the palace and for once, not be the one doing the serving."
The redhead smiled, "I don't know Janine," thoughts of her encounter with the prince replayed itself in her head. "Don't you ever think you'll grow tired of it? Perhaps… it might even be lonely."
"Now, where did that come from?"
Sora shrugged, "I was just thinking…"
"About a certain prince?" Janine teased.
"No."
"Come now, don't lie to me, Sora. Sam saw you two, and even he says there was 'a spark'."
"From what, standing in the gardens and talking about flowers? I highly doubt he'll come back to ask for my hand—besides, Miyako would be absolutely livid."
"Don't tell me you think that cow would make a better queen. I'd rather hang myself than see her crowned."
"Then you'd better prepare that noose."
They turned to face Miyako standing at the doorway, looking incredibly smug. She glared at Janine. "You forget your place."
The brunetted bowed and stammered apologies before turning back to the cutting board, concentrating more than ever on the blade she held.
"Sora, I expect fresh flowers in my bedroom by tomorrow morning."
"Yes, Miyako."
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Hours later, Yamato was able to admit that maybe Sora was more than just a story. He sat under a willow tree, trying to remember everything she had said about the flowers. Queen Natsuko had always said that when one couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, and spent every minute thinking about someone, they were in love. Yamato blanched, that was clearly impossible.
However, the prince had to confess, it was an extremely liberating feeling while they talked. Sora seemed to notice him for who he was, and not simply a crown, she saw right through him. Yamato laughed, any passerby would have deemed him insane to be sitting alone in the gardens and laughing, but that was the least of his worries. It seemed like ever since he was born, girls had been suffocating him up to the point that he considered telling them he was homosexual—but then the king and queen wouldn't be too pleased.
Now suddenly, there was a girl who was safe to say didn't want anything to do with him, and he couldn't stop thinking about her.
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The irises were hard to resist as Sora sat in the gardens, admiring the way the petals fanned out elegantly. As a child, she loved playing the in the gardens, but had little interest in taking care of them—that all changed after her mother passed away. When Sora's mother passed away, the girl had dedicated most of her time to keeping the gardens as perfect as her mother had kept it.
The sun was setting and the sky was filled with a wide array of blues, purples, and oranges. Kneeling down slowly due to the fresh wounds on her back, Sora collected some of the delicate flowers. She sighed; the day had gone by so quickly and yet, not much had been accomplished. Then again, wasn't that her life every day? So why was she feeling so discontent now? After years and years of serving her stepmother and her stepsister, why would this day make any difference, why would she feel so unaccomplished on this day?
Sora's mind filled with questions as she made her way up the marble stairs in the mansion. Subconsciously, the woman had walked down multiple corridors and to come upon Miyako's bedroom. She knocked and waited for an answer before entering the large room. Sora's stepsister sat by her vanity, combing her long lavender hair with care.
She glared at Sora, watching every step that the auburn headed woman took. "About time, I was beginning to wonder if you needed another whipping."
Sora said nothing but worked quietly as she placed the flowers into one of the vases she had prepared. Moving to walk out the room, she stopped when Miyako spoke up.
"What flowers are these?"
The question surprised Sora and she turned to see her stepsister standing by the vase. It was possibly the first time Miyako had spoken to her without any insults. The auburn haired girl smiled, "Irises."
It was then that Sora realized she had picked Yamato's favorite flower.
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AN: WOW! What a completely pointless chapter! I must update the next chapter soon to make up for this! If everything works out, things should actually start happening starting from the next chapter.
You know you want to leave a review. Yes?
Note: I know I have this terrible inability to write two fics at the same time but I really, really want to start something else. I haven't lost interest in this story, but it's just that I can't wait to update something else either! I went through about more than ten ideas during Ishida High and I don't want to wait for this fic to finish before I post something else… hm…
If I do start something, it'll be a short, short story… hopefully. And… it'll most likely be another high school story that I've been dying to write, I can't help it, high school fics are so fun to write!