Fly the nest

CHAPTER ONE

In the remote corners of Japan, nestled between rivers and whomping willow trees dwelled a village made from wood and stone. Yvonne scurried down the rocky footpath, her small feet catching on the divots in her way. Cursing quietly, she held a small gift. So many people in her village, and only one person had managed to remember her birthday, Hana. A girl only two years her senior and her best friend, her only friend.

By the time she made it home, the sun was setting over the horizon. It was a grand structure with its thatched roof and paper sliding doors, and Yvonne began to sweat on her trek inside. Beads of sweat clung to the back of her neck, and she exhaled softly, removing the loafers and replacing them with a pair of inside slippers.

She could hear the sound of the television playing softly in the background, and just when her nerves began to settle, a voice of ice called out from inside the kitchen," Yvonne? Is that you?"

Yvonne jumped, almost dropping her precious gift. Stuttering, Yvonne rushed into the kitchen," Yes, Ma'am."

Her mother had her hair up in an elegant updo, and her eyes were as sharp as an eagle as she stared down at the girl. Her lips pulled into a frown." Why're you back so late?" Yvonne licked her lips, the answer on the tip of her tongue, when something clouded her mother's eyes, and the women waved Yvonne off," Agh, it doesn't matter, get ready. We have guests arriving soon."

Yvonne tried not to let the disappointment show on her face, spinning on her heels, she sped out of the kitchen before her mother could see the tears clouding her eyes," Alright..."

In the safety of her room, Yvonne found a dress sitting at the foot of her bed. Ignoring the outfit, she sat on the ground at the foot of her mattress and began to unwrap her present. A gasp escaped her lips, and Yvonne stared at the glass figurine of a small fairy sitting resolutely on her lily pad. Blue and violet glass wings spread out behind her, and when she brought it to the sun, Yvonne watched in rapture as her fairy cast the room under a blue light.

With the utmost care, she placed the doll on her dresser and turned with a smile to put her dress on. Fumbling with the straps, Yvonne slipped the kimono on with stiff fingers," Oh dear Yvonne, what're you doing?!" Anna's voice rang out through the quiet room, and Yvonne jumped, lost in her own thoughts.

Mumbling to Anna, Yvonne tried to unwind a strap that had found itself twisted," I'm trying to put on the kimono."

Anna bustled over to the child and got to work untwisting the straps and getting the kimono situated in its proper place. Anna sighed," The Madam has very special guests over today, Yvonne, try to behave."

Yvonne nibbled on her lip and nodded," Alright..." Yvonne glanced at herself in the mirror and found only skin and bones staring back at her. Turning away quickly, she gulped before forcing a smile onto her too-big lips.

Half an hour later, Yvonne found herself smiling at guests waiting at the front door. The Yumihoki family wore Kimonos similar to hers own, and Yvonne bowed," Welcome, if you'll follow me."

Slowly, Yvonne moved towards the dining hall. Guiding her guests, Yvonne bent down and opened the doors. Seated at the tables, Yvonne poured drinks and listened as her parents began talking amongst themselves. Hikari and Minato Yumihoki wore looks of poise and elegance. At least Hikari did, her lips always set in the perfect smile.

Yvonne reminded herself to smile and stared at her empty plate, waiting for the food to be served. She was so hungry, her stomach grumbling for sustenance. Someone bumped her leg from beneath the table, and Yvonne looked up into the eyes of a boy, probably a few years her senior. With a brown mop of hair and dark brown eyes, his smile, authentic, caught Yvonnne off guard. She hadn't caught his name in the introductions, but assumed he was Hikari's son.