It all ties into the Red String Theory

Chapter 1

Sakura lifted her hazel eyes to the bright blue sky. Chirping filled the air. Her mind was still a flurry of memories and images of people that felt like a distant past. She rubbed her eyes with her hands which felt lighter than they should have.

She turned her attention to the world that suddenly surrounded her. Bright and green. An oasis of enchantment. She sat up straight from her spot in a field of daffodils. Her eyes drifted to the crystal clear river close by and she hurriedly made her way over. She had changed. Her hair wasn't the red she had dyed a month ago. It was back to the raven colour she tried to cover up. A streak of stark white hair had made its way into her long hair. It was unfamiliar to her. She took the opportunity to give herself a once over.

Her face seemed younger, fresher in a way. She didn't have those dark circles under her eyes from months of no sleep and her eyes weren't sulking anymore. They were bright. Her body had felt healthier too. She finally stopped once her eyes fell onto the blood-red line that outlined her pinkie finger. She instantly pulled it closer to her chest, unsure of what to make of it.

"Did I die?" She asked herself, unsure of her surroundings. "Good heavens child, why are you sitting there all stunned? We have work to do." A male voice sounded behind her. She jumped at the sound and instantly turned to meet the person behind the voice.

A tall male stood before her. He was youthful with long black hair. He wore traditional Korean hanbok with a leafy green jacket and long white trousers. He had a wide hat on his head that had lilies and orchids filling the top of it. His jacket was lined with white poppies. "Who are you?" She questioned. "Why it's me Hallakgungi. Or maybe you might know me better as Igong." He replied whimsically.

Sakura's eyes widened at the realization. "Does that mean I've died?" She asked warily. "Yes, but don't fear it Sakura. This was only one lifetime. You still have many more ahead of you." He eyed her up and down and gently took her left hand. Inspecting it with a gentleness she had never felt. He turned it over till they were both staring at the dark red line that stretched the length of her pinkie finger. "It seems as though you haven't met your soulmate." He states. He let go of her hand and instantly turned to walk away from the river bank.

She examined her finger once again before quickly making her way till she fell into his pace. "What does it mean?" She asked. "Well, you died. Considering your hair is back to its natural state, as well as your skin." Igong stated.

"I mean the red line on my finger. Does this mean this is heaven?" Sakura asked unsure as she watched the flowers physically bloom around him. "This," He points to her finger. "This is the tie of a soulmate. This indicates that you still haven't met your soulmate, because if you had met him thing line would've turned white, but you haven't and so it is still blood red which indicates the blood connection is still active and searching."

"That's impossible. The red string theory is a matter of folklore." She stated without thinking. Her eyes quickly darted to the ground. "Well you are in the garden of life and death, so the red string theory might not be as stupid as it sounds," Igong said, his voice laced with sarcasm. "Why am I here?" Sakura asked. "Well, you're my new apprentice." He stated. "Come now we must get you into the proper attire to help me." He added as he quickened his pace.

Sakura's legs tried but still struggled to keep up with his long strides into a towering building of pure white. "What will I be helping with exactly?" She asked exasperated as they finally reached the tall doors that were made completely of green hedges and beautiful blue butterflies.

She watched in awe as he swung open the door, the butterflies instantly making their way inside. "Well mostly taking care of the souls. Cutting out those who have had passed or should pass and planting the seeds of new souls going back to earth." Igong said, his voice monotonous as he walked inside. She blinked rapidly as she watched the vines that hung low on a nearby staircase physically reach out and blossom in front of him. As if it was a soft greeting of a warm welcome home.