This is Konohana's music when she first appears
No One P.O.V
After Pigsy regained his memories, they decided to take a break for moment think on who to find next. While resting, MK and Mei explained about what happened and what they need to do
"Boy, that's a lot to take in" Pigsy said
"Yeah. So, now we need to find Sakura, Sandy and Monkey King" MK said
"I hope they're okay" Mei said
"I gotta ask, who is she?" Pigsy pointed at Iris
"Oh yeah, Pigsy this is Iris, Iris his is Pigsy" MK introduced the two
"So... Any idea where Sakura or Sandy might be?" Tang asked
"I might have an idea where Sakura is" Iris said, and everyone looked at her
"Where?!" They asked
"Well, based from what I heard from Azure... Sakura is the descendant of Konohana, correct?" Iris asked, and everyone nodded "Well, the answer is simple. Sakura must be in Konohana's homeland, the Land of the Cherry Blossoms"
"Land of the Cherry Blossoms? I never heard of such a place" Tang said
"Duh. It's hidden. Some humans found the land, but once they leave, their memories gets erased" Iris said
"So... How do you know this?" MK asked
"I'm from there" Iris answered
"Really?!" They all shouted
"Yes, so can you stop shouting?"
"So then, will you show us how to get there?" Tang asked, and Iris shrugged her arms
"I guess. But we're gonna travel my way" Iris said
"Uh... What do you mea-!" Before Mei could ask, they all fell through a portal that opened underneath them and they were falling
30 minutes later~
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh! Oof!" Everyone finally hit the ground
"We have been falling for 30 minutes!" Pigsy and Tang shouted as Iris landed on her feet
"Relax. We're here anyway" Iris said as she pointed at the village and palace
"Woah" Everyone was in awe
"Welcome to the Land of Cherry Blossoms" Iris said
"This place is beautiful!" Mei said "Man, I wish my phone still worked"
"Alright, guys. Let's split up and look for Sakura" MK said, and they nodded
Iris P.O.V
After they all left, I sighed
'To think I'll come back here... It's been years since I last came here...' I thought to myself as I started walking through the village that I spent before I devoted my service for Konohana. I still remember how she saved me from long ago
Flashback
Before I met Konohana, I was slave to a terrible man... I grew up to a family that had no love. My father was abusive and a drunk, my mother died after I turned 5 years old. When I turned 8, my father sold me into slavery. I spent a long time in misery, I thought to myself... What did I do to deserve this...? What did I do?
One day, I went to the Land of the Cherry Blossoms with my terrible master due to some business. While walking around the village, someone talked to me
"Excuse me, little girl?" I looked up to see a woman
'She's beautiful' I thought
"Huh? What do you want?" My master asked rudely, but the lady ignored him
"Are you okay?" The lady asked, but I was too scared to answer
"Oi! Lady! Are you deaf or something?!" My master shouted
"I don't listen to ill-mannered ones, but I'm afraid you'll be arrested now" The lady said
"Huh?! Are you stupid or something?!" My master was about to hit the lady, but a guard harshly grabbed his arm "Hey! Let go of me!"
"No. You're under arrest for child slavery and for almost harming the empress!" The guard shouted
"E-Empress...?" My master turned pale
"Yes! No one shall harm the empress!" The guard said as he tied my master's wrists and took him away
"Come. Let's get you cleaned up" The empress said nicely
In the palace
"Excuse me. Will you please get her cleaned up and find something for her to wear?" The empress asked one of the servants
"Yes, your grace" The servant bowed her head, and looked at me "Come along" I followed the servant
They led me to a fancy looking bathroom, and another servant came in
"We'll begin to undress you and bathe you" The servant said as they took off my worn out clothing and they started to wash my body
After washing my body and hair, I was given new clothes and my hair was brushed. Once I got cleaned me up, the servants led to somewhere. They led me to large doors, once the large doors opened I saw the empress sitting on her throne and next to her was a man who I'm guessing is the emperor
"So, this is the child that you saved my dear?" The emperor asked
"Yes, my love" The empress said
"U-Um..."
"You may speak young one" The empress said
"W-Why... Why did you save me?" I asked, and the empress smiled softly
"Simple. In these lands, it's against the law to enslave anyone young or old. So that man will be imprisoned for his crimes" The empress said
"I see... But what's gonna happen to me?" I asked
"You will staying here. You shall become our youngest child's retainer. Konohana, please enter" The empress said, and a little girl who looks a year older than me enters the room. She has short brown hair and red eyes
"You wish to see me mother, father?" The little girl asked
"Konohana, this little girl will be your retainer starting today" The empress said
"Retainer?"
"Yes, my daughter. She will be at your beck and call" The emperor said
"I trust you'll take care of youngest" The empress asked me
"I promise to do my best" I said
"Hey, can I ask for your name?" The princess asked me "My name is Konohana and I have four older siblings"
"I'm... I'm Iris and I'm a kitsune" I said as I made my ears and tail pop out
"Woah! That's so cool!" Konohana said with stars in her eyes, and I smiled
Flashback end
I should stop thinking about the past, nothing will change. My hatred towards her will never change
I walked towards the different direction, but I'm not planning helping them look for their friend. I'm only helping them because Azure Lion told me so, I'm gonna stay hidden cause I have a feeling the other me will make her appearance soon
MK P.O.V
I was looking for looks or hints about Sakura, but I got nothing
"Sigh... This is seriously a tough one" I said as I sat down on a nearby bench, and I looked at the people walking around
'Wow, so many people...' I thought to myself
"Are you alright?" I heard someone talking to me. I looked up and I couldn't believe my eyes, in front of me was Konohana herself and she was wearing a really fancy dress
'Konohana?!' I was so shocked that I fell to the ground
"Oh dear! Are you alright?" Konohana asked
"Y-Yes!" I said
"MK!" I quickly turned around and saw my friends
"Guys! L-Look!" I pointed at Konohana and they couldn't believe their eyes
"No way!" They shouted
"Oh my. Are you all perhaps visitors? I welcome you to the Land of Cherry Blossoms" Konohana bowed her head
"Ahem. Um... May we know your name?" Tang asked
"Why of course. I am Konohana, youngest princess of the land" Konohana introduced herself
'Princess?! Konohana was a princess!?' I think everyone thought the same thing
"A-A-A pleasure to meet you, your highness!" Tang said
"The pleasure is all mine" Konohana said with a soft smile
"Princess!" A guard came rushing towards us
"Is something wrong?" Konohana asked
"Your parents wish to see you immediately" The guard said
"I see. I shall return to the palace at once" Konohana said, she was about to leave but stopped herself "Also, can you show our guests to their room in the palace? This is their first visit in this land"
"Yes, princess" The guard bowed "Follow me"
And we started to follow the guard to the palace, man inside of the palace is super fancy!
'This place is really huge! Probably even bigger than Red Son's home' I thought to myself
"We're here" Then the guard opened the door to reveal our room that we'll be staying
'This room is toight!'
"We'll send you your meals later on. Enjoy your stay" The guard said as he closed the door, and we fall to the floor
"Dude, I'm still shocked that Konohana is a princess" Mei said
"But... Wouldn't that Sakura is a princess too?" I said
"I think so..." Tang said, but he looked sad
"Something wrong Tang?" Pigsy asked
"Well... If Sakura is part of the royal family... Do you think... they'll come for her?" Tang asked
Tang actually has a point. If Konohana was part of a royal family, then they must've heard about her death too... Now I wonder how they'll react if they learn Konohana reincarnated... Will they take her away back home?
Now I couldn't help but worry
"No more gloom!" Mei shouted "Let's find Konohana! She said she's going to see her parents, right? So, let's go find where she is!"
"You're right, Mei. Let's go find where she and her parents are!" I said
"Yeah!" Then we started to sneak out of the room, quietly and stealthily
While walking through the long hallway, we heard talking behind large doors. We pressed our ears against the door to hear
"Is there something wrong?" We heard Konohana ask, we carefully opened the door a bit to see. Sitting on the thrones was a man and woman
"Are they her parents?" Mei asked in a whisper
"Looks like it" Tang answered in a low voice
"Konohana, you received an invitation from the Jade Emperor from the Celestial Realm in China" The man said
"Why me? I do not want to sound rude, but... Why not my older brothers and sisters? They're more experienced in the outside world than me" Konohana said
'Konohana never explored the outside world?' I thought to myself
"Konohana, the Jade Emperor invited only you because he's sees potential within yourself. He told us he can sense it" The man said
"We're not forcing you to go, but will you think about it?" The woman asked
"Yes, I will give it some thought" Konohana said, and she started heading towards us
"Guys! We gotta get out of here! Back to our room!" I whisper shouted and we ran back to our room
After we ran back, we were out of breath when we got back to our room
"Pant... Pant... We finally made it back..." I said while trying to catch my breath
"Y-Yeah..." Pigsy said
After we finally caught our breath
"Okay, I believe this is the first time we're actually hearing about Konohana never been to the outside world" Tang said
"Yeah. I never knew Konohana never been to the outside world. And now we must figure out how to trigger a memory so we can get Sakura back" I said
"That's true. This one might be tough one" Mei said
"Hmmm... How about one of us talk to her? Like we try to describe Sakura from our point of view? I tried it on Pigsy and it worked, including showing him how to make of the noodles from scratch" Tang said
"That could work" I said "But who's gonna talk to Konohana?"
"Why not you?" A voice said from behind me, I jumped from the sudden voice. When I turned around, I saw Iris but she looked different somehow. She looks the same, but her eyes are different. Her left eye is dark blue and right eye is silver
"Iris? When did you get here?" I asked
"Not too long ago or should I say the whole time" Iris said, but her attitude is different too. She's not being blunt or using any sarcastic tones
"Um... But why should I talk to Konohana?" I asked nervously
"You want to get friend back, right? So, I believe you or the chef or the scholar are the best choice" Iris said
"Y-You think we're the best choice?" Tang asked
"Yes I do. Because I believe your bond with your friend is very strong" Iris said
"Okay. Pigsy, Tang, are you both ready?" I asked
"Of course, kid" Pigsy said
"Let's get Sakura back" Tang said
"You'll find Konohana at the garden lake behind the palace. She goes there when she needs to think" Iris said
"Thanks for telling us. Let's go guys!" I said and we made our way to the lake behind the palace
No One P.O.V
MK and the gang left to find Konohana, and they found the garden lake after asking for directions
"Woah... This place is beautiful" Mei said "I still wish my phone works"
While aweing at the beautiful sight, they found Konohana by the edge of the lake, deep in thought
"What should I do...?" Konohana asked herself "I wish to leave, but... I'm scared"
MK, Tang, Pigsy took a breath and let it out
"You guys can do this" Mei said encouraging them, and they started walking towards her
"Um... Konohana?" MK called out, and Konohana jumped
"Oh my, please don't sneak up to me like that" Konohana said
"Sorry bout that" Pigsy apologized
"It's alright. I'm surprised you found this place" Konohana said, and MK scratch the back of his head
"Well... Actually, Iris told us where you were" MK said
"I see. Makes sense. She is the only one who knows where I go when I need to think" Konohana said
"Something on your mind? If you don't mind me asking" Tang said
"Well... The Jade Emperor in the Celestial Realm invited me to his homeland in China, but... I'm nervous on going" Konohana said
"Why are you nervous?" MK asked
Konohana was silent for a moment, and she spoke
"Because... I never left home before... I'm the youngest in my family and my parents or my older siblings never left me alone including Iris. They were always with me, and I'm a bit scared on going alone... But I always dreamed of traveling like my older brothers and sisters. They always tell me amazing stories about their travels, and it makes me wish that I can travel and tell them my stories of my own adventure" Konohana confessed "Tell me something... Why am I telling you this? I don't want to sound rude, but... We just met and for some reason I feel comfortable telling you all this. I wonder why"
"Maybe we're just great listeners" MK joked, and Konohana laughed
"But you do remind us of someone" Tang said, and Konohana looked at Tang
"I do? Who?" Konohana asked
"My niece. She's both loving and caring. She's always helpful and makes the best sweets too" Tang said
"Yeah. She's the best thing to ever happen to us" Pigsy said
"Yeah. She's also my childhood friend. She was the one who helped me too" MK said as he remembers the time when he first met Sakura
"She must've been really special to you all" Konohana said
"Yes she is. We'll be lost without her" Pigsy said
"But I think you shouldn't give up your dream on traveling" MK said
"Huh? You think?" Konohana asked
"Yeah! Because you get to meet new people, experience new things, and get to eat delicious food!" MK said
"But who said you should travel alone? Why not ask Iris to go with you?" Tang suggested
"Am I allowed to?" Konohana asked
"Yeah! I bet she'll be really happy to go with you" Pigsy said "This is something I always tell my niece when she is having a rough day. Never be scared to try something new as long as you tried"
Then Konohana gasped when she heard those words and her eyes glowed
Memories flowed into her mind. It showed the events she been throughout the years. The first time she delivered noodles when she was a child, how much she played with MK and Mei when they were younger, making her first batch of sweets, and how she met MK outside of the noodle shop. Once the memory was done, she was covered in a bright light and Sakura returned to normal, and has a new pair of clothes
"Huh? What happened?" Sakura asked before she was tackled to the ground
"Sakura!" MK and the others cried as they hugged her
"Guys!" Sakura hugged her friends and uncles back
"Uncle Tang! Uncle Pigsy! MK! Mei! I'm so happy you guys are alright too!" Sakura cried
They hugged each other for awhile, then they released each other from the hug
"But... I have to ask. Where exactly are we?" Sakura asked
"Well, we're inside the scroll and we're in the memory for Konohana. This place was her homeland the Land of Cherry Blossoms" MK said
"Wow. I didn't know this place existed to be honest" Sakura said
"Yeah, I didn't know either. Do you want to know what's the most surprising?" Tang asked
"What is it?" Sakura asked
"Well, to tell you the truth..." Then Mei cut him off
"Konohana was actually a princess!" Mei blurted out, and Sakura was shocked
"Eh?! She was?!" Sakura asked who was still shocked
"Yep! That means you're also a princess too!" Mei said
And Sakura fainted from too much information
"How about we get out of here?" Tang suggested
"Yeah. Now we just need to find Sandy and Monkey King" Pigsy said
"Well, you know the drill Tang" MK said as he picked up Sakura bridal style
"You got it!" Tang said as he tapped on the ground and they were inside the golden bubble, and ended up teleporting over a volcano again
To be continued in The Court of the Yellow Robed Demon