Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazemaru and Miharu ❯ Chapter 7

Miharu sighed, and pushed the thoughts she was thinking out of her head. It was so hard to focus on what the other girls were talking about it, and her feet were starting to go a little numb from sitting for so long. What was it they were talking about, anyway?

 

She wasn't surprised to discover that they were gossiping about some new fashion. They had recently had a company of visitors, some nearby lord and friend of her father had paid them a visit. They were discussing how exactly one of the ladies had arranged her obi, and how they would do it on her. She smiled and nodded when they seemed to address her, but Emi looked at her funny.

 

“Are you alright, my lady?” She was getting very tired of hearing that.

 

“Yes, just a little tired, I guess.” She would love to sleep forever, lost in the dreams of Kazemaru that were so persistently haunting her.

 

Emi came over to sit next to her, leaving the other girls to their chatter. “Miharu,” she addressed her fondly, “You haven't been yourself since… the incident…” Emi said cautiously.

 

Miharu smiled a little. “I guess it was just such a shock that I'm having trouble returning to normal life.” That was true. She felt a little sad that she couldn't share her problems with Emi, she was like a sister. But even she wouldn't understand.

 

Emi still had a concerned look on her round face, and she made as if to say something, but at that moment a figure came and sat outside the door.

 

“Forgive the intrusion, my ladies, but I have a letter addressed to Lady Miharu.”

 

“You may enter,” Miharu said, her voice full of curiosity. Who would write her a letter?

 

The man entered, and Emi went to take the letter from him. He bowed, and left, and she carried it back to Miharu, an equally curious look on her face. She sat beside her, staring at the letter all the while, and handed it to her reluctantly as if she wanted to read it herself.

 

Miharu took it gingerly. All it said on the envelope was her name. She looked up to see 12 eager faces focused on her, and unfolded the envelope carefully. This was something they were going to be talking about for days, she just knew it. All her annoyance flooded away as she saw the opening line.

 

 

My dearest Miharu,

 

Though it has only been days, it seems like an eternity since I have seen your fair face. With each passing day, I find myself constantly thinking of you. I know that you must feel the same. I remember that day when you stood by the stage and looked into the sky. I confess I heard what you said, and I agree with you.

 

I sometimes think that the wind would carry my words to you, light and airy as a feather, or a piece of rice paper. If only I could see you again, I would be delighted.

 

Please, do not forget me. I want you to remember the short time we spent together, and know how much I enjoyed your presence. Until I see you again, I remain secretly yours,

 

Kaze.

 

 

Emi, who could also read, decided to divulge the contents to the other girls while Miharu stared at the letter dumbfounded.

 

“Lady Miharu! You have a secret admirer! How romantic! He must be very shy. Look, he's signed his name `the wind'… how mysterious!” the other girls finally convinced Emi to read it aloud, and Miharu handed it to her and listened in a daze.

 

He had been there. `That day when you stood by the stage and looked into the sky….” He had heard her. He had seen her. He had been that close and she hadn't even known it. Or had she? She could have sworn she had felt his hand against her face, a trick of the wind. The girls were so excited, Emi read it again. With each new line read aloud, the true meaning of it came to Miharu.

 

The part about the wind carrying her words was very poetic, but it didn't seem to fit. And then she caught it. A slip of rice paper, blowing in the wind. If she wrote on that paper, it could reach him. So, he had found a way for her to write to him.

 

And the signature. The girls debated it endlessly. What could he mean, the wind? It was very alluring, they agreed, but why the wind? Miharu smiled, for only she knew it was his name. Not Kazemaru-sama, not even Kazemaru. Just Kaze. It was an intimate gesture that touched her heart deeply.

 

And then the questions started.

 

“Who do you think it was, my Lady? There were so many attractive men in the company! It could be any one of them!”

 

She smiled a little. “I have no clue.”

 

“Maybe it was Nibori-san! He was so quiet. Maybe he's just very shy!” another offered. They giggled over it for awhile, and then another question.

 

“What was he talking about, he heard what you said?”

 

Miharu blushed. How was she going to get out of this one? “Well, there were so many things I said…. You know how I like to go out there and muse to myself. Perhaps he heard me say…” she paused dramatically. “Well, I did say that I didn't want to be alone anymore…”

 

The girls all squealed, and some even hugged each other. Miharu felt her heart rise, too, but she couldn't help but wonder what their reaction would be if they knew who it was really from. She took the letter and read it one last time, folded it up in its envelope, and held it to her heart. The girls were all looking at her lovingly. If only they knew. If only they could be happy for the truth….

 

`Kazemaru…' she thought. `Thank you. Thank you for this. I love you. I'll write to you as much as I can. You ended your letter `until I see you again.' When will that be, Kazemaru? I don't want to wait. Please, please, come soon. Take me away from this. Take me away.'

 

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

 

AN

Ok I said it would get better, not that there wouldn't be anymore fluff… tee hee.