Every thing on and in this earth has a spirit it is said. The heavens themselves are full of them and the Jade emperor rules them. The spirits are said to leave the human world at night and go to the spirit world. Spirits are said to help those who are kind to them and punish those who are not. The traditions of our people are still carried out till this day regarding the spirits and the spirit world. Ye who dose not heed my warning will learn that some things you can't see can be just as real as I am speaking to ye. There is a reason for everything in the world and out of it. Every spirit and person has a job and a purpose. Never lose sight of that and you will never lose sight of who you are. Ye just remind thy self of one things. No matter how small the person as long as they have heart and courage great things can happen.

This is the story of many things. Spirits is one, love, courage, braver, trust, hope, kindness are others. There are many actors in the play of life and all have a story to tell. But today I will tell you of two very brave human girls not much different from you who fond themselves in a predicament that could be one of the stories out of the scrolls I read to you now my dear children. Now gather around as our story begins and let me introduce you to our brave heroines and the other actors in the play.

First lets start off with lady Sakura herself.

Age: 19
Story: Sakura was daughter to the shogun of her village. She was his pride and joy as well as her mothers. She was known for her kindness and her ability to heal. She was one of the few dancers of her village and enjoyed wearing the great costumes when she danced. To her mother and fathers dismay she insisted that she learn how to be a warrior as her father and for her brother to teach her since her father couldn't. Though she never rose a bow or a sword she always could be found helping any in the village no matter what the task. She was known to spend hours in the fields helping the farmers tend to their crops and help harvest them.

Kaimu

In the spirit world Sakura was cursed and turned into a beautiful geisha doll. There she also not only lost her ability to remove her geisha mask and show her true shelf she also lost her name. Instead of being Cherry Tree she became Nothing. Kaimu as we know means nothing and that was her title to be called. The evil witch turned poor Sakura into a porcelain geisha doll and gave her a name that would make her lower than any other spirit in the spirit world.


The next actor in our story is Lei-Zhenzi or Zhen as we know him.

Age: unknown appears 21
Story: Zhen is the son of Lei-Gong the thunder spirit. He is one of the dragons and looks to earn his spot as one of the Jade Emperors guards and to be come a dragon of his court. Zhen appeared in the human world five years after the great thunderstorm that ripped through the land and was adopted by farmer named Weng Wang. Though unknown to the farmer his new son is really more than a human. Zhen was sent to help the people of the land and to learn about them. Though he has grown up to be a very skilled warrior the one thing that he hasn't learned is how to tell the love of his heart that he loves her. He spends his time with the shogun and the other warriors though he loves to spend his free time with the love of his heart sitting under the cherry blossom trees near the great river.

Dragon form


After being forced to eat apricots by the wicked witch spirit he was forced to change into his Dragon form. She placed a spell up on him and erased all his human memories and mad him her personal slave. If he or any other of the great dragons dare to disobey them she punishes them and makes them pray for death.



Yasha

Story: Yasha is the vampire bat spirit that was once a beautiful woman. But during rebirth her anger made her turn into a lower rank witch enraged her. She plotted for years to get back at the other spirits. It was rather easy for her to get her revenge will the other spirits just thinking she was harmless to bad for them she has friends in places with great dark magic.

Aimi

From Japanese 愛 (ai) "love, affection" and 美 (mi) "beautiful"

Born to a loving family Aimi was well treasured. She was treated as a princess. When she got older she took a job as a geisha. She loved her job and learned many forms of fighting. She was popular for many high officials wished to take her on dates. Aimi truly loved animals though and decided to become a keeper of animals. When she fell in love with a guy and he was killed she went through a horrible depression.

Later on She was cursed by a witch. She was a beutiful geisha doll during the day and was placed on the mantel of the emporer. Rumor has it that she would one day be revived by her true love. Who was this love and how do you get a doll to turn real?

Bakeneko

A cat spirit. During the day he is the pet to the emporer but during the night he transforms into a handsome man.



Known to the emporer and everyone in the palace as Bak This beuitiful white tiger is actually a man cursed to be a tiger until he finds his one true love. He is known as a bakeneko a cat spirit. At night he can roam the real world in his human form but during the day he is a white tiger.

Sakura laid at the foot of the steps that lead to the house where Zhen and his family lived. She had failed to make it inside before the sun rose and was now stuck there. A small tear ran down the porcelain mask she was now forced to wear and call home. She still didn't understand how she had got caught up in the spirit world and why she was cursed. This was the worst curse there every could be. She couldn't moved during the day and could only moved during the day in the spirit world. She could only come to the human world or spirit world at night. Though she had to be very careful because of her frail shell. She hoped no bird would pick her up as she laid there. Even if Zhen found her he wouldn't know it was her. Not like this she knew sadly and how could he she was a doll now. She wanted to warn him about Yasha and try to keep him from going to the spirit world. He was safe here with his parents. Yasha only seemed to want the Emperor and the others in the spirit world at this time any how. She knew she had to go back and help the others and her friend Aimi who had got cursed to be a doll as well.
hen

Bak fond himself chained to the statue outside in the palace as he watched the Emperor being chained and the others along with him. He let out a mighty Roar as the witch Yasha approached him laughing. He tried to bite her as she reached to pet him. He didn't want her near him with her evil. He had warned the others she was nothing but trouble but they had failed to lesson to him. He hopped the word had gotten out about the witches doings to the other spirits still on earth. He was sick of this woman already though she had only just taken over. If he was free he would rip her to shreds. He lunged at her as his claws ripped deep into her arm making her scream out in pain she glared at him but was in to much pain to do anything at the time. He watched her leave and go to the Emperor room as he let out another growl. He knew no one could understand him but he yelled anyhow as it came out in roars. "That is the Jade Emperors not yours get out! None will bow to you only the Emperor when I find him and free him you'll be sorry witch!"

Aimi sat on the mantle. She was beutiful. Although she is only a doll right now she is alive in the spirit world. She looked through a mirrior and watches everything thats happening. She frowned. She wanted to be there but the portals do not open until sundown.

"Bak" She said softly seeing the tiger being chained up. She could not beilive what was happening. She had no way to stop it either. She hoped that the woman was after the emporer and not her darling Bak. But it looked like she might be mistaken.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zhen walked slowly down the path to the farm. He worked with his parents but he now had his own patch of area to farm in. He had done well with it and had many things growing. He was son of the thunder spirit but as far as his parents and everyone else knew he was nothing more than a human. He heard a strange noise and noticed guards running by and trying to get to the palace. He wondered if there was an attack. He debated going but decided he would just worry about his farm.

"Good luck emporer."

He made a good luck sign with his hands.

Yasha went to tend her wound as she cursed under her breath at what the tiger had done to her. Once she was done she walked about the palace and laughed at the little doll on the mantel. "How foolish you where little human." She said as she picked the doll up and walked to the open doors and thew the doll in the grass." This is not the emperor I have not use for something like you. I don't want to see you or your other little friend back here again!" She said as she turned the massive door slamming behind her.

Bak turned his head as he watched the witch throw the emperors prized doll. He let out a growl as he tried to move to make sure the doll was unharmed. He hated that woman and he hoped she would get closer next time so he could give her a price of his mind. He became quite after a while of struggling to get free to gaze at the doll. He looked up as the sun began to go down and was slightly happy at lest then the chains wouldn't hold him.

Sakura laid by the steps the rest of the day. She was happy to see the sun going down it means she could move soon. Though she had to go back now to the spirit world to check on her friends there. She worried what the witch Yasha had done to the others by now. She wanted to see Zhen and make sure he was ok but if she didn't make it back to the spirit world her friends might turn out worse than she was fairing.

Aimi felt herself fall to the grass. She could do nothing just yet. A few more moments and she would once again be alive. She waited patiently. She had to go help the emporer. She had to see her darling Bak again. It was taking to long. Suddenly she saw the portal open. SHe jumped through it quickly. Suddenly she was lying in the grass. She stood up and brushed off her dress. She seemed to have taken no harm in the fall. That was good.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zhen saw the sun setting and sighed. His darling would be at his house soon and he had to hurry and get to there before her. He started to run hoping he would make it in time. He wanted to see her. He saw his house up ahead and slowed his pace a little. He managed to get to his house and he looked around. She was not here yet but he knew she would be soon.

Sakura slowly rose as she was thankful she could move again. She brushed the dirt from her kimono as she climbed up the wooden steps. After becoming a doll she had gained a new respect for things. It was so much trouble to move up things or to move at all. She pushed on screen door and made a small slit in it for her to pass. She then pushed it back as she wandered into the house. She wished she could speak or smile but she couldn't all she could do was gently touch Zhen's leg as she moved back so he wouldn't kick her by accident. She wanted to warn him of Yasha and what had happen to the Jade Emperor and the others. It would have been much easier to do so if she could at lest speak.

Bak watched as the doll moved threw the portal. He closed his eyes as he felt the transformation begin for him. He clinched his teeth as he shifted from his tiger form and into his human form. He open his eyes and stud as he slid the chained collar from around his neck. He rolled his eyes as he walked to the portal then threw it. He found himself back in the human world but there was no singe of his dear doll. He worried for her and wandered where she was.

Aimi looked around quickly. She wanted to find Bak. She just wished she could speak to him. The only way they could communicate was with writing. She walked towards the palace. She waited in front of it waiting for him to show up. She wondered how she would help the emporer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Turning around Zhen saw her and gave her a hug. He reached up and felt along the mask on her face resting his hands on her cheeks he pulled her to him and placed a kiss on where her lips would be if she was not masked. He kissed her hard.

"I love you my darling."

Skaura nodded her head and hugged him back. She wished she could have kissed him back and told him the same but yet again the curse prevented her from such things. She turned and pointed to the table with the ink and paper on it. She had to tell him what happen to the others and the Emperor. She knew once she did he would leave and he would be in danger as the others where but if she didn't tell him she would be no better than Yahsa.


Bakeneko smiled as he saw the dear little doll. He walked up to her and gently picked her up as he smiled and kissed the top of her head. "I am sorry I couldn't save you today from that wicked woman. I was worried she had hurt you." He said as he held her close moving towards the portal. "We need to go get the others and see if we can help the emperor and get that woman out of here. Besides we need to get you back to normal before the cherry blossom celebration at your home. I am not sure if your friends and family would understand a doll dancing. People are rather suspicious of spiritual things. They would think you are a demon doll and might harm you. I would hate to have to hurt them but I would if they dared tried to harm you in any way my dear Aimi."

Aimi smiled at him and nodded her head. It was all she could do. She let him pick her up and waited for him to get to the palace. They had to save the emporer. She was not worried about being retansformed. She just wanted to save the emporer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He smiled and put her on the table with the pen and paper. He picked up a smaller pen that he had just for her and handed it to her.

"What do you need to tell me honey?"

Sakura took the pen and bowed to thank him. She walked over to the ink well and dipped it in then began to write as large as she could so he could see it. She tolled him about Yasha and Aimi and what had happen to the emperor and the others. And how Yasha had taken over the spirit world and was enslaving all the spirits. She hid the emperor and none could seem to find him all the other dragons as well. When she was done she moved from the paper and hung her head. She knew he would go back to the spirit world and she would lose him again. But she had to tell him he could save them maybe.

"Where should we start looking Aimi?" He said as he stepped threw the portal. He looked about them and saw they where in one of the forest away from the palace. "That woman isn't going to like it when she realizes I am gone. But we will worry about that later. Lets get a move on. I don't want her throwing you or dare harming you again. I would sink more than my claws in her if she did." He said as he grew angry just thinking about how Yasha had thrown Aimi like she was a piece of trash. Aimi was the Emperors favorite doll and his. A thought came to him as he moved threw the forest. "We are missing a doll where is Kaimu? Is she still at the palace with that witch?"

Aimi tapped his shoulder and pointed down the path. She knew where her friend hung out and she knew that she would be worried also. She knew where to go to find her boyfriend. She pulled his shirt collar slightly keeping a hand pointed in the direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zhen picked up the paper and read it. When he was done he was frowning. THis was not good at all. They had to go save the emporer. He picked her up and put her on his shoulder. He took off running as fast as he could towards the palace.

"Thanks for letting me know love."

Bakeneko smiled at Aimi as he gave her a nod and followed where she pointed. "I take it you do know where she is after all. We are going to need all the help we can get I am afraid. I still don't understand how Yasha did all of this and defeated the Jade emperor this makes no sense." He then shifted his eyes to hers and became clam as he gazed at her. "At lest I know you are safe and I can hold you again." He said as he leaned down and kissed her gently.


Sakura nodded as turned and looked at his home. She grabbed a piece of his hair and tugged on it gently as she pointed back to his house. He hadn't told his parent anything and they would be worried sick. She looked back to him hoping he would understand what she meant and not think she was harassing him about the fields he had forgot to water.

AImi grinned as he headed where she had pointed. That was all she wanted. She leaned into the kiss not being able to return it. She sat down on his shoulder and hung her legs down kicking them in a bored way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"I did not tell them on purpose love. I do not want them to worry is all. I need to get going. Lets go dear one."

He continued to walk not looking over his shoulder.

"And I know I forgot my fields."

Sakura turned and faced him as she took a set on his shoulder and placed her chin in her hands as he walked looking board and displeased. If she could speak it would help her with her points she knew he and Bakeneko had to be happy that she nor Aimi could talk. She sat up as she pointed to the portal that was at the edge of the lake for him to see. She saw Bakeneko walking towards them from the other side and felt happy seeing that her friends where ok.

Bakeneko laughed as he saw Aimi kicking her legs board. "So I bore you now love? I am sorry my dear." He said as he looked up in time to see the portal after a while and looked back to Aimi. "Look who is coming our way dearest." He said as he stopped and waved at the male and little doll on his shoulder.

Aimi grinned when she saw them and standing up tried to wave but fell down. She could not yell but felt fear as she tried to grab Bak to keep from hitting the ground.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Seeing his two friends Zhen walked faster yet keeping himself from unsettling his girl on his shoulder.

"See they are fine my dear. "He saw Aimi fall and froze fearful.

Bak reached out and caught her pulling her close to him. He let out a breath as he saw her safe in his arms and looked back to Zhen and gave him a nod and slight smile to let him know Aimi was ok. He wrapped his arms around her to carrier her. "I can't have you falling again. I would die if anything every happen to you. I need to make you something I can carry you in don't I." He said as he smiled at her.

Sakura reached out for his collar as she hung on to it trying to keep herself seated. She pointed her hand to Aimi as she fell wishing she could scream. She slowly let her arm fall to her side as she saw Bak catch her and placed her hand on her heart and made the motion she had let out a breath. She then looked to Zhen and nodded.

Aimi felt her babys arms around her and sighed inside. SHe was so scared for a moment there. She hugged his thumb gratefully and curled up in his arms.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zhen nodded and continued to walk. He stopped in front of Bak.

"Did you see what happened?"

Bak smiled at her as he turned and looked. He then looked to Zhen. "No I did not Zhen. And I don't know where your father or the others are. They are with the Emperor." He said as he held Aimi closer to him in a protective manner. "That witch threw Aimi today. Sakur....no your name is Sakura was lucky she wasn't there today yasha would have thrown her to. I got her arm today if she would have got closer I would have went for her throat. "

Sakura clamped her hands as she saw Aimi safe in Bak's arms. She then placed her hand on Zhen's shoulder as she heard Bak tell him about his father and the Emperor. She knew it was hard for him to hear. She wished she could talk at times like these or even kiss him or hug him. She couldn't do any of those things not as a doll.

Zhen nodded. "Let us go take care of that witch once and for all Bak before she kills the emporor or something. SHe must pay for what she has done and we can finally get these girls back to the way they used to be."

Bak nodded as he laughed. "That is my old Zhen. Lets I want Aimi back so she will not have to worry about falling or breaking. I miss her smile and voice as well." He said as he looked down at Aimi. He then looked back to Zhen. "Where should we start looking for the others at?"

"The palace seems a good place to start. If we could figure out what that witch is up to we might be able to figure out what to do next."

He cuddled his doll to her kissing her lightly on her head.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Aimi just lay comfortably in Baks arms.