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The Perfect World

“Shoaran,” Sakura whispered as she stood on her balcony over looking the sea. She cursed at the calm blue waves for separating her from the man she loved. Even though the City of Light and the City of Waves were neighbouring Kingdoms she saw very little of Shoaran. Tomorrow would be there first anniversary, exactly one year since they had met. It had been love at first sight. Sakura fell to her knees and wept, for months now she had searched for a gift for Shoaran but nothing she found ever came to close to showing him how much he meant to her. Being the daughter of the King she had access to many treasures, no matter how expensive they were or how beautiful they looked they just weren’t up to scratch. Now a day before seeing Shoaran, she had no present and little time. In the magical City of Lights there were many sorcerers who would be more then happy to conjure her up a gift to give, but seeing as shoaran was the most powerful sorcerer in the City of Waves there was no point. He was so strong that using his magic he could bend water to do his will and take on any shape that he wished.

“It must be unique, something even he hasn’t thought of!” Exclaimed Sakura too herself, still weeping into her handkerchief. Every time she had went to her elders and advisors for help. Each and every one replied with the same answer: ‘Look into your heart, that is the only place you will find the answer.’ Sakura gasped, her eyes lit up with the sudden realisation. “That’s it, why didn’t I realise earlier?”

She ran through the palace halls, down the marble staircases, out through the many courtyards and along the brightly lit chambers. Until at last she came out into the bustling streets of the City she called home. Determined she made her way through the crowded sidewalks, taking little notice of the wondrous displays in every shop window she walked past. Many heads turned to watch their beloved princess, her beauty emanating from every pore on her skin. She stopped at the entrance to the temple like home, taking off her shoes before she entered.

“What brings you here my majesty?” asked Soji. His voice rang out true and powerful. Sakura took a few slight shuffles forward before bowing her head. “I have a favour to ask, Soji The Great, will you accept a young and desperate princesses plea for help?”

“I shall,” replied Soji. He appeared in a sparkle of magnificent light. Sakura explained to him her idea for Shoarans gift and reluctantly Soji agreed to help her. It was advanced magic and very dangerous, even when performed by such a great sorcerer.

Later that night Sakura lay on her bed clutching a box to her chest. She could hear and feel the boxes rhythmic beat against her own still chest. Alone in the dark she smiled to herself, “of course Shoaran would like it, it’s not possible for him to have another one.”

After getting dressed Sakura practised using some of her magic. Wings sprouted from her back, each letting out a bright glow of pure light. She leapt from her balcony; wings out stretched and felt the rushing of wind against her cheeks. She flew over green fields and broad rivers. She sang with the birds and was equally as graceful. Today, everything was perfect, the sun shone brightly and the flowers gave off a welcoming aroma. She could feel the box in the inside of her dress, still beating.

There he was, a young teenager standing alone on the beach. As she descended to the ground she recognised his handsome features, nothing but his face gave away that he was young. His eyes were kind and caring whilst his body emitted a powerful aura that gave a sense of strength and warmth. They embraced each other with a passion.

“Happy Anniversary!” Grinned Sakura. In reply Shoaran lent forward and kissed her forehead. He handed over a spectacular silver locket; it was in the shape of a heart, the chain made out of the best pearls found in the City of Waves. Sakura put the locket around her neck, her smile so broad it almost touched her eyes. “Thank you dear, it really is wonderful. I love it.”

“Here’s your present Shoaran,” and with that she pushed the beating box into his hands. He opened it and inside he found a heart, a living, beating heart. Sakura’s heart…

“Sakura,” whispered Shoaran, his eyes wet with tears.

“Hopefully now you will understand how much I love you, Soji did the best he could, he gave me until 12 noon to live.”

“Open the locket,” instructed Shoaran. After several seconds of fumbling the locket opened in Sakura’s palm. The inside was much larger than it had looked from the outside. When she saw what was inside Sakura gasped. For there, lying in the locket was Shoarans own beating heart. After carefully closing the locket Sakura burst into tears. She wasn’t crying because in minutes she would die, or even that Shoaran would also die but at the fact that he recognised her great love for him and returned it.

They lay together, there bodies motionless, sleeping forever. Still clutching each other and there now silent gifts.