"The significance of a Sakura tree goes back hundreds of years back into the feudal era. Sakura cherry blossoms represent the fragility and beauty of life. It's a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but also incredibly short. When the Sakura cherry blossoms were to bloom for a short time each year in brilliant force, they were used to serve as a visual prompt to remind us of how precious and precarious life really is."

The young mother finished speaking to her beautiful daughter. Her daughter was a true beauty, but she was also gentle and her smile warmed the hearts of people around her. Her strawberry colored hair and blue eyes that reflected the sky was only a variable that framed her kind and soft personality. It reflected the true meaning of her name all too well.

"Sakura." The daughter pronounced, as if curiously but precautiosly exploring her name. But looking up into her smiling mother's eyes, all Sakura saw was kindness. "Shouldn't it be you who got named Sakura, though?" The young girl said with every sound of innocence. "You're so nice to everyone, and you make people smile. Isn't that what the Sakura tree stands for? Why is it me who took the name? It should be you!" The young girl's eyes widened when her mother let out a soft laugh.

"My silly child." The mother mused, wrapping her daughter into a tight embrace. "My name is Akina, nothing less and nothing more." The dim candle in the dark room flickered as its light slowly lacked. The shadows jumped back and forth from its soft glow. The small chair the two sat on rocked peacefully as the tips of Akina's toes gently moved them to a rhythm. "My name is Akina because that is the name my mother and father saw fit for me. Your name is Sakura because that is the name I saw fit for you."

Slowly, Sakura's eyes closed. "But you're the one who makes people smile and laugh." She protested as her breathing matched the chair's beat.

Akina moved her hand to her daughter's hair and began to stroke it as a mother does. "Oh, but you make others smile and laugh as well." But Sakura was already asleep.