AN: You guys rock!

TheLadyKnight: (I know your name doesn't have the caps, but I couldn't resist.) You're just awesome.

Crazyamzy: In the second chapter, while Sora was talking to Yamato, he mentioned that irises were his favorite. ;)

Chikin Wang: I do have an obsession with describing hair! Lol, thank you so much for your review.

Pyrodragon304: Yes, I realize it's your email ;) I hope you have a clearer idea of Janine in this chapter. If it isn't enough (because honestly it isn't), I'll be sure to add some info about her in the next chapter. Thanks for the review!

Disclaimer: Digimon is not mine.

Chapter Four – The Markets

After a couple of days, Sora and Janine made their weekly trip to the markets. The community was always buzzing and bursting with energy; one of the reasons Sora loved it so much. The stands were filled with fresh fruits, vegetables and other random crops. A few times, the two girls would even sell some of the flowers from their gardens—of course, Lady Inoue and Miyako were never told.

Everyone who had met Lady Takenouchi remembered her and had fond memories of the woman. But Sora bore little resemblance to her mother and no one recognized her. Sora's father was rarely home, much less found in the markets.

"Cherries!" Janine's eyes lit up at the red berries.

The redhead laughed at her friend's childlike glee. "We won't be the ones eating them."

"Then we must buy a ton. Even they can't handle that much, they'll have to let us eat them!"

Unwilling to crush Janine's high hopes, Sora only nodded. "Then let's bring some home."

"A ton, Sora. Not some."

"Okay, okay, then let's bring a ton home."

"You know… maybe you should consider growing some fruit in the gardens, not only flowers."

Sora paused, considering thing suggestion and gave an approving smirk. "I think we can do that."

"What else is on the list, Sora?"

"Fruits, vegetables, meats…"

"Oh. How about the apples too then? Oh! And the peaches! And, and—"

"Janine, have you realized that we'll be the only ones carrying everything back?"

"Oh…right." The brunette turned to face Sora with a hand on her hip. "This is insane. We have an incredibly huge garden and yet, we have to come out and buy fruits and vegetables! Why aren't there any fruits and vegetables in the gardens?"

"There's fruit."

"What? Where?"

"We have apple trees."

"Really! And here I was, suggesting we waste money and buy the darn fruit."

"Oh Miyako doesn't like apples, but they were my mother's favorite."

"You know Sora, for someone who's abused by those witches, I think you understand them better than anyone else."

Sora only smiled.

-

The butcher shop was one of the busiest shops there were. Filled with eager carnivores each shouting their demands, Taichi Yagami was resisting the urge to throw a pig out the door and watch the customers attack the meat.

"Yes Ma'am, and how may I help you?" The man asked, putting on a charming grin.

The woman giggled and attempted to twirl her stringy hair, an incredibly amusing and yet revolting sight all at once. "Five pounds of pigeon meat and two pounds of pork."

Taichi packed the meat quickly and handed the bundle to the enthusiastic woman. She paid and before she was able to bat her eyelashes, she was pushed out of the way. At a glance of his new customer, a genuine smile made its way onto Tai's lips.

"Sora!"

She laughed. "It looked like you needed some help."

"God yes, that woman was amazingly… creepy."

"How are things going?"

The young butcher held his arms out, motioning to the throng of people awaiting their share of the meat. "A bunch of carnivores they are, one day I'll sell out of everything and they'll be forced to kill me off as a substitute."

"Can I have the shop?"

Tai glared at the woman before him. "After all these years Sora, I thought you'd care more," he said in a feigned hurt tone. Taichi had been Sora's childhood friend since Lady Takenouchi was still alive. He and his sister Hikari were the only people outside the mansion that knew of Sora's past. Though the little girl was born after the woman passed away, Hikari just knew everything. It wasn't a grand secret to be brought to the grave with, but it was simply rarely mentioned.

"I'll care after I get the shop. Where's Kari? Shouldn't she be helping you?"

"The little thing has run off with that fellow…"

Sora gave a laugh as Taichi narrowed his eyes at absolutely nothing. "Takeru? He's such a cute little boy, who wouldn't want to run off with him?"

In return, she received a low growl.

"Don't worry Tai, they're only what, nine? I highly doubt they'll be doing anything soon."

"Soon!"

"Two pounds of chicken please."

"Don't change the subject!"

"Two pounds of chicken please."

"…yes ma'am."

-

Sora left the shop with a smile on her face. Janine was waiting for her.

"Sora Takenouchi I know that smile!" The brunette called.

"What smile?"

"That smile. How could you? The prince will be devastated!"

"Janine, there's nothing going on between the prince and I, and Taichi is like a brother to me, anything more would be… awkward. Besides, I've never… been in love… so how would you know what my smile meant?"

"I guess… so, what's next?"

Sora blinked, Janine was a very… random… thing. "Uh… oh, Miyako wants me to buy her a new bracelet or some trinket."

"Really Sora, you're too kind. I think that most of the things in Miyako's possession are items which you have bought."

"I don't mind. I'm not allowed to wear such things."

"You even designed that dress for her! The one she wore when the prince visited."

"Think of it as a birthday present. Besides Janine it was fun, designing the gown."

Janine sighed, "Why do you put up with this."

In return, Sora gave a genuine smile, "Because I don't need it. Miyako on the other hand, cannot live without it. I am content with my life, Janine."

"That is because you haven't fallen in love yet."

"What?"

"Just you wait, as soon as you fall in love, you'll be content no more."

"You sound as if you speak from experience." Honestly, it wouldn't be surprising. With her soft brown hair, pleasant features and curiously bright green eyes, it was a wonder why a man didn't come and sweep Janine right off her feet.

"Perhaps," she answered, a smug smile playing at her rosy lips.

Sora threw her head back and laughed, "If that is the case, then I hope I never fall in love!"

"That would be a shame."

Turning, Sora met cobalt. "Oh, your Royal Highness!" The girl moved to bow, but ended up with an awkward bend of some sort with the baskets she held. Janine followed suit, suppressing a giggle at her friend's movements.

Yamato chuckled, "That's not necessary. I'm nobody in particular today." He motioned to the baskets and bent to take them from Sora. "Here, allow me."

She stepped back immediately, "No. That would be highly inappropriate."

The prince sighed, running a hand through his untamed hair. "Please don't treat me any different, I'm just Yamato today."

Sora shook her head, letting her auburn hair flare out and gleam under the sun. "Whether you are a prince or another servant, I wouldn't ask anyone to carry my burden."

Janine sighed softly. "It's true your highness, Sora has never asked anyone to do anything like that. We usually have to force her down to even let us."

Yamato smirked at the girl, currently looking anywhere except at his eyes. "Lovely."

The word caught Sora's attention and she turned to stare straight into his deep blue eyes, which proved to be a mistake for soon she realized she couldn't look away. "What?"

Yamato's smile grew wider when Sora turned to face him. "You must be hearing things, I didn't say a word," he teased. When his eyes began to water, Yamato realized he had subconsciously willed himself not to blink. The dark ruby orbs held him, and he found himself wishing to never break away from her eyes.

Of course that was impossible.

"Since you were so kind as to show me around the gardens, allow me to repay you by taking you to the palace gardens." Yamato suggested.

Sora frowned, "If you ask to be treated as a peasant, then I suggest you don't try to lure girls in with your riches."

Janine gasped loudly from behind the redhead. "Sora!" she whispered in a hushed tone.

Yamato's rich baritone voice rang with laughter, surprising the girls. "You really are different." He bowed, so low that one would have thought he was trying to look up Sora's skirt—if her skirt didn't reach the ground. "My apologies, but really, I'd love to show you the palace gardens."

She smiled, "I have chores, but I'm sure miss Miyako would be thrilled."

Yamato's face contorted into something between a sneer and a smile, but astonishingly still managing to look quite handsome. "That's… quite all right. I'll just… help you two with your market… duties."

"Sora, I'll just go… do some stuff." Janine offered, clearly intending to give the two some 'private' time.

Sora rolled her eyes with a smirk, "Janine, don't go anywhere. If the prince wants to come, he can come."

She turned, taking Janine's arm and leading the way to one of the stands selling jewelry. Something stopped Sora in her tracks and she turned to the prince who had grabbed her other arm. Something in her jumped and Sora inhaled sharply as he leaned forward, closing the gap between their faces.

With his lips dangerously close to her ear, Sora could feel Yamato's breath as he spoke. "It's Yamato, just Yamato."

"O-okay-I mean, yes," she stammered, and cursed her skin as she felt herself heat up. The prince pulled away and Sora looked up to find him smirking smugly. "Janine!" She called out to the other girl, quickly turning away from Yamato to chase after her.

-

Janine was standing by a vendor who was selling random pieces of jewelry. She pointed eagerly at a couple of the items. "Sora, buy one for yourself!"

The redhead frowned, "Stepmother would hang me if she was to find out."

"No one will tell her."

Sora smirked, "Janine, you're so… devious."

"Will you buy something for yourself then?"

"No."

The brunette pouted, "But whyyyyyyyy."

"I don't need it, remember?"

"All right… let's just buy something for the cow and go home." She paused, seeing Yamato walk up beside Sora and gave a sly smile. "I think I should go home first. Have fun, Sora!" With that, Janine ran off—and got absolutely nowhere. Sora had caught her like lightning and had a death grip on her arm. "Sooooooooooooora," Janine whined.

Sora narrowed her ruby eyes, "I know what you're doing, and you're not going anywhere."

"Fine. Fine. But it's such a pity."

"You're right about one thing, we should get this done quickly and return. We've wasted enough time."

"A little harsh aren't we?" A deep voice teased. Yamato turned and gave Sora a dose of his dangerously irresistible puppy dog pout; it never failed—until now.

She gave a small twitch of a brow, "You look pathetic, don't do that." Then, glancing down at the small display, she pointed to a thin gold bracelet with small rubies. "That one is nice. Let's take it, Janine."

Janine gave Sora an odd look. On any other day she would spend a great deal of time finding something that Miyako would like. Most certainly, she would ask for the price. But today, she was hasty and almost eager to leave the prince. "All right. Is that it?"

"Yes—" Sora's voice was caught in her throat when her eyes fell upon a small necklace. It was a beautiful necklace, simplicity and elegance molded into one small silver design of a heart. For a second, she considered doing as Janine suggested but stopped herself. "Le-let's go."

Before any of them knew what was happening, Sora had paid for the bracelet and took Janine's arm, dragging the girl through the people in the direction of the mansion. As if suddenly remembering something, Sora turned around, and gave Yamato another one of her dazzling smiles.

He blinked and she was gone.

Yamato stood by the vendor, confusion written on every bit of his handsome features. He couldn't help thinking, was it something he said? The vendor's light chuckle broke the prince out of his thoughts. "Don't worry Your Highness, I'm sure she fancies you."

Yamato's eyes widened before he flushed, his ears turning a deep cherry red. Looking around desperately to change the subject, his sapphire orbs noticed the same small necklace that Sora had her eyes on. She seemed incredibly drawn to it, and he was suddenly filled with an overwhelming desire to give the fiery woman a gift. Yamato pointed to the necklace, "That necklace, I'll buy it."

The vendor smiled, "Excellent taste Your Highness. The crest of love."

AN: Remember when I said Taichi wouldn't show up until much later on? I lied. And as you can see, I just couldn't keep away from adding Takeru into the story. Age differences vary.

Since I seem to love advertising so much, I've decided to keep it up! NUMB3RS is a new show on CBS and it's just got me hooked. If you like shows like CSI and Law and Order then go check out NUMB3RS!

Fridays at 10pm (eastern time) on CBS.

If I told you it was my birthday, would you review? (Don't worry; it's not my birthday.)

One more thing, I understand that the crest of love isn't silver at all, but I had to change it. Honestly, I'm not too fond of the original plastic-y looking design. As long as the same symbol is used, it's all good ;)

hm... seems that they've changed the QuickEdit thing again... it's incredibly annoying.