Hearts' Remedy
Chapter 8
There's a first time in everything. For when there is a first there is a chance. Five years have passed since Serena landed in Kenji's home. Kenji, a merchant, takes all kinds goods to sell to other parts of the kingdom. In one of his trading posts he had bought a pink satin dress for his eighteen-year-old-daughter. Our heroine was right now, wearing that dress.
She sat in one of the benches outside the village square, where people dressed in all kinds of fancy dresses and suits, pranced about. The girls had their dates and the boys had theirs. Serena, on the other hand, sat pretty much alone in her pink satin dress. Her hair was still in that normally messy braid. Yet, as always, she looked stunning. The pink dress she wore accented her milky white skin perfectly. It was heavy with pink lace and it left her shoulders bare. The skirts were thin, but covered her toes, which were adorned with pink slippers. She wore no jewelry, and watched as couples, and friends enjoyed the party—her party.
This was a summer night of June, and it was Serena's eighteenth birthday, believe it or not, held in the town square. Her father had made sure that her birthday was recognized by everyone in the village, and so he rented the village square for the day and invited everyone to come. And everyone dressed their best. Everyone, meant even the children in the orphanage, who were probably pulling pranks on the adults, instead of staying with Serena to keep her company.
Serena sighed as she played with a ribbon on her dress. If her mother, Ikuko hadn't made her put on this dress she could be walking about without worrying about those glances from the young bachelors of the village.
"Happy birthday, Serena!" Shingo shouted, making the startled Serena almost jump out of her dress. He settled down beside her on the bench.
"Shingooooo. You scared me half to death! What do you want?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing. Aren't you going to at least try enjoying the party? Ma and Pa will be upset if you don't start greeting the guests at this, and might I add, your party."
Serena turned to her brother fully, "Don't you have better things to do other than nag me? Like dancing with a certain red head by the certain name, Mika." Serena, by now was grinning mischievously.
Shingo blushed and mumbled, "Shut up."
Serena draped her arm over her brother's shoulders in a playful manner. "Awww, Isn't that cute? My big brother blushing at the mention of a certain girl's name."
Shingo smacked her arm away, irritably.
Serena's smile widened as she continued, "Anyway, didn't you tell me last week, that this was going to be the day you ask her to the Summer Festival?"
"I lied, okay?"
"No, you're going to ask her right now before she is taken. You don't actually think a girl like her is invisible in men's eyes, do you? Come on, Shingo. Stop being such a baby." Serena got up and started pulling her brother's arm. But he was not budging.
"Shingo get up!"
"Stop shouting, you're going to get us in trouble. Then Ma and Pa will find out and get really upset because we look like we'd been fighting in front of everyone."
"I'll scream louder if you don't get up."
"Yeah, like you would risk getting in trouble with Ma and Pa. Anyway, why are you suddenly playing a matchmaker?"
"Shingo, you are such a sniveling, scared, mangy--!"
Shingo threw his hand over his sister's mouth and shouted right back, "All right! I'm moving!"
Serena gave him a wide smile and started tugging his arm again. "I actually saw her walk right pass me in that direction." Serena pointed over to the right, where a throng of people stood conversing. Serena and Shingo squeezed by them, brushing shoulders with only a few, along the way.
Serena stopped so fast once she found who she was looking for, that Shingo nearly ran her over. "There she is," Serena whispered to Shingo. "Do your work, Big Brother."
With a sudden force, Serena pushed her brother forward causing him to stumble in front of Mika who stood beside one of her friends.
Shingo's heart suddenly accelerated in beats. The girl was so beautiful, with her red hair and golden-brown eyes. He couldn't stop staring at her even when he was only a foot away from her. Mika, however, was looking at him with a bewildered expression on her face. Shingo immediately gathered up the little courage he found in his heart and tried to speak. Unfortunately nothing came out, but a croak that half sounded like a toad and half like a whinnying horse. Mika's friend rolled her eyes as she walked away. Serena, on the side-line, slapped her hand on her forehead and made a mental note, 'my brother is such a dope.' Sensing her brother's embarrassment she walked closer up to them. "Excuse my brother, and please be patient with him, he can be utterly idiotic sometimes."
Mika giggled, while Shingo glared at Serena. Serena shrugged and continued nonchalantly, "Anyway, he has something to ask you."
Mika stopped and looked deeply into Shingo's eyes, waiting for him to speak. Shingo rubbed the back of his head and started, "I was wondering if… It doesn't matter if you don't… It's just that I'm interested… But if you aren't, it's okay… It's just that…"
"Spit it out!" Shouted an impatient Serena.
"Serena, why don't you leave us alone," Mika urged gently, "maybe then Shingo can finish his thought."
Serena shrugged, "suit your self."
Shingo spoke now, "maybe she shouldn't… I mean… I…"
Mika looked at him calmly. Serena smiled as she nodded towards Mika. Mika declined her head, too. Shingo looked from one to the other, with confusion written all over his face.
Serena left swiftly. She wanted to find the refreshments table and maybe grab a bite there. After all, she did have a bottomless pit for a stomach. Along the way she overheard a bunch of chattering girls with their heads put together, their backs facing her. One of the girls she knew all too well: Abigail, granddaughter of the head of the orphanage, Nora. The rest were Abigail's best friends from childhood. They all were dressed elegantly, since they come from well-to-do families.
Serena overheard Abigail talking: "You wouldn't believe it! That farmer boy, Seiya, he asked me to the summer festival!"
They all squealed excitedly for their overconfident friend, except for one who spoke over the noise. "But isn't he poor? I don't think your father would approve."
Abigail rolled her eyes, "It's not like I'm gonna go up to him and say," Abigail switched to her honey toned voice, "'Daddy, I'm going to the Summer Festival with the 'farm boy.'' It's not like he needs to know who I spend my time with."
The girl who had spoken nodded, "You are so right."
"Stick with me girls, and you will learn the tricks to winning every man's heart. And lesson number two will be how to dump the guy's heart." Abigail laughed her high laugh.
Serena stomped towards them with a scowl on her face.
"Abigail!"
The girls all turned to meet the unwanted girl. "Uh, the walking disaster," Abigail muttered with a shudder. Then a bit more loudly she added, "What do you want, Klutz?"
Serena fumed. "Look, you have no right to hurt Seiya."
"It's none of your business…"
"Yes, it is! Seiya is Gor's brother and he is my friend. I stand up for all my friends. And what you're doing is wrong."
Abigail rolled her eyes, "Are you done?"
"No! Just because he works on a farm doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings!"
The girls were silent.
"Seiya really has true feelings for you, and to hurt him is discourteous. His heart is not like rotten meat to throw away!"
Just as she made a great entrance, Serena ended it with a great exit. Without gathering her skirts she stomped away. She had not hoped to klutz out in front of Abigail, but to no avail she did. Serena, clumsily stepped on the hem of her skirt causing her to stumble forward. She did not fall, but she looked stupid enough to cause an eruption of laughter from the girls.
Meanwhile, someone had been watching the whole thing, unnoticed. Behind a nearby bench, Seiya crouched with two paper cups of juice in his hands. He watched as Serena defended him. However, he had not noticed that the juice was all over his hands and that the cups were all crushed due to the fact that the girl he had wanted, turned out to be a tart. He saw Serena, for the first time as a woman. She no longer seemed like that girl he could tease everyday he walked into his brother, Gor's cabin. She seemed ethereal and angelic. And even when she tripped herself that image of her did not go away. As she faded into the crowd again, with a red face, Seiya stood up. He made his way towards the girls. Abigail spotting him, greeted him ecstatically. "Seiya! Do you have the juice? Oh, I'm so thirsty!"
Seiya dropped the two crushed cups into her outstretched hand. "Sorry, Abigail. No juice and no festival."
"What?"
"I have somebody else in mind," he replied bluntly, turning away from her.
"Oh, and don't call her Klutz. That's my name for her."
Serena resumed her seat on the bench, forgetting the food. She covered her cheeks with her hands, waiting for the heat to settle. That took guts, she told herself proudly, but you ended it foolishly by being an idiot. Her shoulders slumped as she played with the ribbon on her dress again.
Seiya stood there, watching her. She looked so innocent, twirling the ribbon of her cute pink dress between her fingers. She rarely wore anything 'cute.' As a matter of fact, she 'never' even wore anything resembling a dress as far as he knew her. She hated dresses and preferred men's clothing. For once, Seiya felt his heart soften as he watched the girl. This was a new feeling to him because he didn't even feel this way when he first met Abigail. Abigail had sent his heart soaring with every smile, but Serena made his heart beat faster and his blood run fast in his veins. She didn't need to smile or wear pretty dresses to earn his respect. Being herself, was reason enough to admire her.
Making his way toward her, he felt something, but did not know what to name it. It caused an uprising of something in his heart. Even by the time he reached her, her eyes were still directed to the floor. She was so deep in her thoughts she had not sensed his presence.
"Serena…"
She looked up and smiled at him. "Seiya? What do you want?"
Seiya settled down beside her and Serena followed his every movement with her eyes.
"I…"
Serena cut him off. "Why aren't you with Abigail?"
His eyes met hers, silently asking her how she is fishing out the nameless emotion in his pool of emotions. She grinned at him. "Come on Seiya. Don't tell me you're tired of that pretty face."
Seiya reminded himself mentally that she had not seen him spying on her and her encounter with Abigail. Maybe, it would remain better if that went unmentioned.
"Serena, will you go to the Summer Festival with me?"
"What? But I thought you were going to go with Abigail."
"Are you sure you know I asked her?"
"Wouldn't every man ask a lady like her?" Serena laughed nervously, swinging her feet underneath the bench.
"So?"
"I don't see why not," Serena gave in.
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"You look like you're on cloud nine." Serena commented to her brother who walked through the door. Kenji and Ikuko nodded in agreement.
"Well, I just had the greatest time with—Hey, wait a second, I don't have to tell any of you anything," Shingo said.
"Well, what if I tell you a story," Serena bargained.
"Tell it, and I'll think about it," Shingo said thoughtfully.
"Seiya asked me to the festival."
"No way. No way."
Serena nodded, frowning in disbelief herself. "I know. It's unbelievable, isn't it?"
Kenji jumped up, "I need to talk to that boy."
"Papa…"
"Nobody can go so freely asking my daughter to go to some festival before asking for my permission first."
"Papa, it's not like he's proposing." Serena rolled her eyes.
"Hush! Let me think," Kenji muttered, thinking murderous thoughts.
Serena looked at her brother expectantly. "So mister-I'm-the-happiest-man-alive, care to tell me your story?"
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A.N.: I know that took me a while, so I decided to do something I normally don't do. And that is, answer people's reviews. I don't do this often because replies to reviews get outdated fast. So if you want me to reply tell me in your reviews and I'll reply back by email.
lk: You didn't ask me to 'Please continue!' Wait a minute… You never did ask, you demanded, lol. I'm sorry, I think I promised Darien in this chapter, but now I realize he doesn't fit here. Maybe chapter 9, but I'm not making any promises. I'm not good at keeping them.
ThatsMsDiva2U: There's more to your presumption. ^_^ But I'm glad you think this story's awesome.
Keledrena: I only have one reply to 'hmm.' I'm not sure what you're implying, but I hope it's nice. If it's not, oh well, for me, lol.
unknown: I'm sorry you don't like Darien, but I can't promise ANYTHING. In my opinion, I love Seiya just as much as I love Darien. And that's only about an ounce, since they are, after all, only cartoon characters.
Kagome (kagome_higurashi777@hotmail.com): I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. It's just that, I was having trouble figuring out how to put this chapter together. And now that it's done I hope its shortness doesn't make you mad at me. ^ ^
Ellen, Eo, sweety, Darkanjel, Bunny (irishmadien1@yahoo.com), lilli-lil, and wolfecub: I hope I didn't leave anybody, from last chapter, out. I'll smack myself if I did… Anyway a thousand thanks for reviewing. As always, support, encouragement, and good comments are appreciated.
Until next time, minasan! Ja mata ne!
Chapter 8
There's a first time in everything. For when there is a first there is a chance. Five years have passed since Serena landed in Kenji's home. Kenji, a merchant, takes all kinds goods to sell to other parts of the kingdom. In one of his trading posts he had bought a pink satin dress for his eighteen-year-old-daughter. Our heroine was right now, wearing that dress.
She sat in one of the benches outside the village square, where people dressed in all kinds of fancy dresses and suits, pranced about. The girls had their dates and the boys had theirs. Serena, on the other hand, sat pretty much alone in her pink satin dress. Her hair was still in that normally messy braid. Yet, as always, she looked stunning. The pink dress she wore accented her milky white skin perfectly. It was heavy with pink lace and it left her shoulders bare. The skirts were thin, but covered her toes, which were adorned with pink slippers. She wore no jewelry, and watched as couples, and friends enjoyed the party—her party.
This was a summer night of June, and it was Serena's eighteenth birthday, believe it or not, held in the town square. Her father had made sure that her birthday was recognized by everyone in the village, and so he rented the village square for the day and invited everyone to come. And everyone dressed their best. Everyone, meant even the children in the orphanage, who were probably pulling pranks on the adults, instead of staying with Serena to keep her company.
Serena sighed as she played with a ribbon on her dress. If her mother, Ikuko hadn't made her put on this dress she could be walking about without worrying about those glances from the young bachelors of the village.
"Happy birthday, Serena!" Shingo shouted, making the startled Serena almost jump out of her dress. He settled down beside her on the bench.
"Shingooooo. You scared me half to death! What do you want?"
"I just wanted to see how you were doing. Aren't you going to at least try enjoying the party? Ma and Pa will be upset if you don't start greeting the guests at this, and might I add, your party."
Serena turned to her brother fully, "Don't you have better things to do other than nag me? Like dancing with a certain red head by the certain name, Mika." Serena, by now was grinning mischievously.
Shingo blushed and mumbled, "Shut up."
Serena draped her arm over her brother's shoulders in a playful manner. "Awww, Isn't that cute? My big brother blushing at the mention of a certain girl's name."
Shingo smacked her arm away, irritably.
Serena's smile widened as she continued, "Anyway, didn't you tell me last week, that this was going to be the day you ask her to the Summer Festival?"
"I lied, okay?"
"No, you're going to ask her right now before she is taken. You don't actually think a girl like her is invisible in men's eyes, do you? Come on, Shingo. Stop being such a baby." Serena got up and started pulling her brother's arm. But he was not budging.
"Shingo get up!"
"Stop shouting, you're going to get us in trouble. Then Ma and Pa will find out and get really upset because we look like we'd been fighting in front of everyone."
"I'll scream louder if you don't get up."
"Yeah, like you would risk getting in trouble with Ma and Pa. Anyway, why are you suddenly playing a matchmaker?"
"Shingo, you are such a sniveling, scared, mangy--!"
Shingo threw his hand over his sister's mouth and shouted right back, "All right! I'm moving!"
Serena gave him a wide smile and started tugging his arm again. "I actually saw her walk right pass me in that direction." Serena pointed over to the right, where a throng of people stood conversing. Serena and Shingo squeezed by them, brushing shoulders with only a few, along the way.
Serena stopped so fast once she found who she was looking for, that Shingo nearly ran her over. "There she is," Serena whispered to Shingo. "Do your work, Big Brother."
With a sudden force, Serena pushed her brother forward causing him to stumble in front of Mika who stood beside one of her friends.
Shingo's heart suddenly accelerated in beats. The girl was so beautiful, with her red hair and golden-brown eyes. He couldn't stop staring at her even when he was only a foot away from her. Mika, however, was looking at him with a bewildered expression on her face. Shingo immediately gathered up the little courage he found in his heart and tried to speak. Unfortunately nothing came out, but a croak that half sounded like a toad and half like a whinnying horse. Mika's friend rolled her eyes as she walked away. Serena, on the side-line, slapped her hand on her forehead and made a mental note, 'my brother is such a dope.' Sensing her brother's embarrassment she walked closer up to them. "Excuse my brother, and please be patient with him, he can be utterly idiotic sometimes."
Mika giggled, while Shingo glared at Serena. Serena shrugged and continued nonchalantly, "Anyway, he has something to ask you."
Mika stopped and looked deeply into Shingo's eyes, waiting for him to speak. Shingo rubbed the back of his head and started, "I was wondering if… It doesn't matter if you don't… It's just that I'm interested… But if you aren't, it's okay… It's just that…"
"Spit it out!" Shouted an impatient Serena.
"Serena, why don't you leave us alone," Mika urged gently, "maybe then Shingo can finish his thought."
Serena shrugged, "suit your self."
Shingo spoke now, "maybe she shouldn't… I mean… I…"
Mika looked at him calmly. Serena smiled as she nodded towards Mika. Mika declined her head, too. Shingo looked from one to the other, with confusion written all over his face.
Serena left swiftly. She wanted to find the refreshments table and maybe grab a bite there. After all, she did have a bottomless pit for a stomach. Along the way she overheard a bunch of chattering girls with their heads put together, their backs facing her. One of the girls she knew all too well: Abigail, granddaughter of the head of the orphanage, Nora. The rest were Abigail's best friends from childhood. They all were dressed elegantly, since they come from well-to-do families.
Serena overheard Abigail talking: "You wouldn't believe it! That farmer boy, Seiya, he asked me to the summer festival!"
They all squealed excitedly for their overconfident friend, except for one who spoke over the noise. "But isn't he poor? I don't think your father would approve."
Abigail rolled her eyes, "It's not like I'm gonna go up to him and say," Abigail switched to her honey toned voice, "'Daddy, I'm going to the Summer Festival with the 'farm boy.'' It's not like he needs to know who I spend my time with."
The girl who had spoken nodded, "You are so right."
"Stick with me girls, and you will learn the tricks to winning every man's heart. And lesson number two will be how to dump the guy's heart." Abigail laughed her high laugh.
Serena stomped towards them with a scowl on her face.
"Abigail!"
The girls all turned to meet the unwanted girl. "Uh, the walking disaster," Abigail muttered with a shudder. Then a bit more loudly she added, "What do you want, Klutz?"
Serena fumed. "Look, you have no right to hurt Seiya."
"It's none of your business…"
"Yes, it is! Seiya is Gor's brother and he is my friend. I stand up for all my friends. And what you're doing is wrong."
Abigail rolled her eyes, "Are you done?"
"No! Just because he works on a farm doesn't mean he doesn't have feelings!"
The girls were silent.
"Seiya really has true feelings for you, and to hurt him is discourteous. His heart is not like rotten meat to throw away!"
Just as she made a great entrance, Serena ended it with a great exit. Without gathering her skirts she stomped away. She had not hoped to klutz out in front of Abigail, but to no avail she did. Serena, clumsily stepped on the hem of her skirt causing her to stumble forward. She did not fall, but she looked stupid enough to cause an eruption of laughter from the girls.
Meanwhile, someone had been watching the whole thing, unnoticed. Behind a nearby bench, Seiya crouched with two paper cups of juice in his hands. He watched as Serena defended him. However, he had not noticed that the juice was all over his hands and that the cups were all crushed due to the fact that the girl he had wanted, turned out to be a tart. He saw Serena, for the first time as a woman. She no longer seemed like that girl he could tease everyday he walked into his brother, Gor's cabin. She seemed ethereal and angelic. And even when she tripped herself that image of her did not go away. As she faded into the crowd again, with a red face, Seiya stood up. He made his way towards the girls. Abigail spotting him, greeted him ecstatically. "Seiya! Do you have the juice? Oh, I'm so thirsty!"
Seiya dropped the two crushed cups into her outstretched hand. "Sorry, Abigail. No juice and no festival."
"What?"
"I have somebody else in mind," he replied bluntly, turning away from her.
"Oh, and don't call her Klutz. That's my name for her."
Serena resumed her seat on the bench, forgetting the food. She covered her cheeks with her hands, waiting for the heat to settle. That took guts, she told herself proudly, but you ended it foolishly by being an idiot. Her shoulders slumped as she played with the ribbon on her dress again.
Seiya stood there, watching her. She looked so innocent, twirling the ribbon of her cute pink dress between her fingers. She rarely wore anything 'cute.' As a matter of fact, she 'never' even wore anything resembling a dress as far as he knew her. She hated dresses and preferred men's clothing. For once, Seiya felt his heart soften as he watched the girl. This was a new feeling to him because he didn't even feel this way when he first met Abigail. Abigail had sent his heart soaring with every smile, but Serena made his heart beat faster and his blood run fast in his veins. She didn't need to smile or wear pretty dresses to earn his respect. Being herself, was reason enough to admire her.
Making his way toward her, he felt something, but did not know what to name it. It caused an uprising of something in his heart. Even by the time he reached her, her eyes were still directed to the floor. She was so deep in her thoughts she had not sensed his presence.
"Serena…"
She looked up and smiled at him. "Seiya? What do you want?"
Seiya settled down beside her and Serena followed his every movement with her eyes.
"I…"
Serena cut him off. "Why aren't you with Abigail?"
His eyes met hers, silently asking her how she is fishing out the nameless emotion in his pool of emotions. She grinned at him. "Come on Seiya. Don't tell me you're tired of that pretty face."
Seiya reminded himself mentally that she had not seen him spying on her and her encounter with Abigail. Maybe, it would remain better if that went unmentioned.
"Serena, will you go to the Summer Festival with me?"
"What? But I thought you were going to go with Abigail."
"Are you sure you know I asked her?"
"Wouldn't every man ask a lady like her?" Serena laughed nervously, swinging her feet underneath the bench.
"So?"
"I don't see why not," Serena gave in.
_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:_:~:
"You look like you're on cloud nine." Serena commented to her brother who walked through the door. Kenji and Ikuko nodded in agreement.
"Well, I just had the greatest time with—Hey, wait a second, I don't have to tell any of you anything," Shingo said.
"Well, what if I tell you a story," Serena bargained.
"Tell it, and I'll think about it," Shingo said thoughtfully.
"Seiya asked me to the festival."
"No way. No way."
Serena nodded, frowning in disbelief herself. "I know. It's unbelievable, isn't it?"
Kenji jumped up, "I need to talk to that boy."
"Papa…"
"Nobody can go so freely asking my daughter to go to some festival before asking for my permission first."
"Papa, it's not like he's proposing." Serena rolled her eyes.
"Hush! Let me think," Kenji muttered, thinking murderous thoughts.
Serena looked at her brother expectantly. "So mister-I'm-the-happiest-man-alive, care to tell me your story?"
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A.N.: I know that took me a while, so I decided to do something I normally don't do. And that is, answer people's reviews. I don't do this often because replies to reviews get outdated fast. So if you want me to reply tell me in your reviews and I'll reply back by email.
lk: You didn't ask me to 'Please continue!' Wait a minute… You never did ask, you demanded, lol. I'm sorry, I think I promised Darien in this chapter, but now I realize he doesn't fit here. Maybe chapter 9, but I'm not making any promises. I'm not good at keeping them.
ThatsMsDiva2U: There's more to your presumption. ^_^ But I'm glad you think this story's awesome.
Keledrena: I only have one reply to 'hmm.' I'm not sure what you're implying, but I hope it's nice. If it's not, oh well, for me, lol.
unknown: I'm sorry you don't like Darien, but I can't promise ANYTHING. In my opinion, I love Seiya just as much as I love Darien. And that's only about an ounce, since they are, after all, only cartoon characters.
Kagome (kagome_higurashi777@hotmail.com): I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long. It's just that, I was having trouble figuring out how to put this chapter together. And now that it's done I hope its shortness doesn't make you mad at me. ^ ^
Ellen, Eo, sweety, Darkanjel, Bunny (irishmadien1@yahoo.com), lilli-lil, and wolfecub: I hope I didn't leave anybody, from last chapter, out. I'll smack myself if I did… Anyway a thousand thanks for reviewing. As always, support, encouragement, and good comments are appreciated.
Until next time, minasan! Ja mata ne!