Prologue

Five rules. There were five rules I must never break.

1. The clan above all else.

2. The clan leader must not show favouritism or bias of any sort.

3. Our trees are our halves. We must take good care of them, and we must not harm others' trees.

4. Outsiders can become a part of the clan.

5. Never, ever, marry anyone from the same clan.

It was this very set of rules that I carved into my heart since the day I knew to count. It was these rules that I adhered to, every day of my life. It was my, nay, our entire clan's way of life that must never be questioned. It was our life and death.

The clan rules were absolute.

I wish they weren't. If only rule 5 didn't exist.

I never felt that way before I met you. I thought these feelings of mine were fleeting, like little drops of rain on a sunny day. Little did I know they were a storm that would anguish me so. For days, months, and years. I hid it. I denied it. I pretended to hate you, in hopes that you'd leave me and I'd finally forget you. But you were always there, waiting for me to come to my senses.

They said that first loves were never meant to be, but we could have been together in another time and another place.

They said that there are plenty of fish in the sea, but you're the only who understood me.

They said that love could be developed once I marry another, but how could I hold an unfamiliar woman when my heart was astray?

You will be the first and only love of my life, this I promise you.

To you, my love, I dedicate a branch from my tree. My other half that contains my soul. May you graft it on yours, and let it grow prosper. Our bodies may never be together, but our souls shall be.

Sincerely,

The one who loves you most.