01

"Ojiisan! I'll be back I'm going to check on the fruits!" I called back to my grandfather in the shop as he smiled at me, his wrinkled eyes closing down.

"Sure, be careful Akiko." He responds as he continues to sweep the shop. I grab my basket and quickly left. Running though my village and greeting everyone, I end up back at home where Obaasan grew all her fruits and vegetables. I've been the one looking after it ever since she got sick and passed. Ojiisan has never been quite the same after her death. After a forbidden romance between my mother who was a noble woman and my father who worked at the very shop I'm at now with Ojiisan, their relationship had been revealed and they were put to death. They tried to run away happily after Okaasan was placed in an arrange marriage when her father found out about her romance with a poorly off village man, but it was short lived. After Okaasan gave birth to me she had to hide me the best she could. The night before their execution she gave me to my grandparents. I don't even remember what she looked like.

I scan the strawberries and melons to see what I could take back and sell. Everyone loved it when we had fruits, they were claimed to be the sweetest in the village! I grabbed a few assorted berries and grabbed a watermelon, before heading back to the shop. On my way there I manage to see a few people on the trail coming towards the village. Samurai on horses and a carriage on it's way. I frown at the sight;That could only mean one thing. The rich were coming. I hurriedly ran back to the shop. Placing everything down and running to my grandfather. 

"Ojiisan I just saw the people from the palace on the trail." He looked up at me from what he was doing.

"What could they possibly want?" I shrugged. It wasn't too long after did we hear everyone chattering. I quickly set up the remainder of the fruit outside of the shop and l turned to see what the gossip was about. The rich were nothing great to chat about. I saw the noblemen get out of the Carriage and walk towards the village. They were dressed in bright and fine robes, fancy head pieces, and heavily guarded. They looked around at the people before they got closer to where I was. Not caring I turned back to what I was doing.

"What do we have here? A dedicated one isn't she?" I heard a deep voice ring out from behind me. I turned back around and scowled.

"Ooh look, she doesn't seem happy to see us." Another one in deep blue robes cracked and they all began roaring with laughter. Another man in Green, reached over and stole a strawberry, eating it slowly in front of my face.

"Wow how sweet! did you grow these? You must be the shop that has the sweetest fruits." He said and I turned away from him. Soon they each took a strawberry and began munching happily.

"Hey! you can't just take what isn't yours! you have to pay for that!" I snapped.

"Why should we?" The one in blue quirked.

"It's only 500($5) yen a pound, I bet you wipe your ass with that much money, surely you can spare it for some fruit!"

"Oh we got a little miss potty mouth, at your age? what's wrong with this place having children curse, how old are you 12?" 

"Not that it is any of your business I'm 16!" I snapped again.

"Close enough." He reached for another strawberry when I grabbed the broomstick and pointed it at him. All his guards drew their swords.

"Whoa now, calm down little lady." He turned to tell his guards to put their weapons away.

" Then pay or get lost." 

"I could have you thrown in jail for assult, or worse, put to death." he smirked.

"See if I fear any choice that you make!" I shouted at him.

"Akiko, please." My grandfather grabbed the broom and lowered it.

"I'm sorry." Ojiisan bowed.

"Why are you apologizing! they're the ones stealing!" I looked at him in disbelief.

"Maybe you should think about putting her in a school for manners." The man in blue snarled. I sighed and just then I seen him pick up something else at eat it while grinning at me. I lost it and swung the broom at him. He squealed like a girl and fell backwards. Again the guards moved and surrounded me with swords to my neck. I dropped the broom.

"She tried to kill me!" He screeched as the other people in the village watched in complete horror.

"Oh stop being a baby, I didn't even hit you!" I said and he glared at me.

"Your one brave girl to still make such remarks with swords at your neck." He stood up and his other two friends helped dust him off.

"Well if killing a poor little village girl will make you feel better, do it." I challenged. He just looked at me.

"Please let her go, she didn't mean that. I'm sorry, you can have whatever you like for her actions." Ojiisan spoke and my eyes widened. Why was everyone so afraid of the rich?

"You must not know who I am little girl." The one in blue leaned into my face and I pulled away. The swords being dropped from his closeness.

"My name is Hisao, the son of the emperor, I advise you remember it." 

"No wonder your so snobby." 

"Why you little." He eyed me without moving from my face.

"Your actually kind of cute, I might take you as my maid." He smiled.

"I'd rather die a thousand deaths." His smile fell. He leaned in closer and I backed up. Just then I felt his hand on my waist and I freaked, grabbing his hand and throwing him to the floor. He wailed in pain.

"Do not touch me! Emperor's son or not!" The guards pried me from him and he held his injured arm.

"See to it that this shop is closed for good!" I tried to lash out again but the guards held me in place.

"You can't do that!"

"Oh but I just did, little wench." He stood up and turned to face me.

"I'll be seeing you again. Let's go! This place makes me sick." He left with his two other noblemen and his guards threw me to the ground before following. I looked over to my grandfather. He looked hurt. Tired. At loss. 

"Ojiisa-"

"I thought we raised you better than that, look what it's cost us. Now how will we thrive?" He looked down at me hurt and angered. I knew my behavior was out of hand but I won't stand by and let the higher class walk in and do whatever they please. 

"Make your best sales, I'm closing for good tonight." He turned and went back into the shop. I looked around and seen the village people look at me with pity. Angered, I stormed into the shop.

Let us go." Ojiisan said as I finished packing up boxes and our products. Just then we heard a woman scream.

"Were under attack!" I quickly ran to see the commotion to see one of the shops not to far down set on fire. I instantly thought back to today's actions. No, He couldn't be that heartless to burn down an entire village based on my actions. Would he?

"Get all the women and children out now!" A man screamed as they desperately tried to put out the burning building. I took a step forward before flaming arrows started being shot at us. I blocked myself and backed up. I turned to see our shop on fire along with many other shops. I turned back to get my grandfather who was still inside. He manage to get to the entrance before I heard a horse. Whoever the rider was had purposely set the entrance on fire. We were trapped. There was small opening in the front but only I could get out if I jumped.

"Akiko, get out now!" I turned to him.

"No! I'm not going to leave you here!"

"You listen to me. I love you Akiko, I couldn't ask for a better granddaughter, Now live!" With all his might, he picked me up and tossed me through the flames and out of the shop. I hit the ground and rolled before I got up.

Ojiisan!" I cried just before I seen out frail shop cave in. My jaw dropped and tears fell from my eyes. I heard a horse whinny again and looked up to see the giant beast over me. I quickly covered my head before I felt my arm being grabbed.

" Let me go!" I screamed as I was tossed onto the horse.

"Move out!" The rider ordered as multiple horses began riding away from the village. The terrifying screams fading in the distance.  I could do nothing but watch my village parish before my very eyes, along with my last family member alive. By the stress of this I had fainted on the horse.

Chapter one up! I hope you like it's start!