Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Kazemaru and Miharu ❯ Chapter 16

Miharu was eating with her handmaidens, and trying not to listen to Emi's dark sighs, when a guard knocked at the door.

 

“My lady, I have a letter addressed to you.”

 

Miharu nodded to the girl sitting closest to the door to take it, and she brought it to her. Her hands shook as she took it, and she immediately recognized the kanji on the envelope. Wind. Kaze. Emi saw it too, and stood up.

 

“Please excuse me, my lady. I am not feeling well.” She got up and left.

 

Miharu would have looked after her, if she hadn't been so excited. Everyone else watched her though, which was fortunate. As Miharu opened the letter, a second slip of paper fell out and she immediately hid it in her sleeve. She then cleared her throat to get everyone's attention and read the letter aloud.

 

 

My sweet Miharu,

 

I have finally gathered the courage to ask your father for your hand. However, I am afraid that I am too painfully shy to admit my name just yet. If you could please acquire Papers of Introduction for me, I would greatly appreciate it. Have your men hang the papers from the Northeast tree at the crossing closest to the palace. I will retrieve them from there. Please have the papers be blank, or write my pseudo name, Kaze. I will come for the papers after the full moon, so please have them there before that. I wait anxiously to see you once more, my beloved. Until I can, please think of me fondly.

 

I remain secretly yours,

Kaze.

 

 

Miharu tried desperately not to laugh as she read the letter. Kazemaru had obviously been attempting to sound like a human besotted with love, and done a fairly good job of it. She was sure it would convince her father. The girls believed it too, and they were all in a tizzy over what could possibly be an upcoming wedding. She smiled smugly. They had no idea.

 

Much later, Miharu had a spare moment to herself, and she pulled out the extra piece that Kazemaru had enclosed. She read it quickly, then read it again.

 

 

Miharu,

Was my letter convincing enough? I hope it will do. I will meet you at the gazebo any time you like. Simply go out there, and if I am there as well I will send you a sign. I love you, and I truly do hope that your plan will work. But you know how I feel, and there is no point in repeating it.

Also, Please be careful. There have been an unusual number of demons in the area, and while I often watch the palace I must also protect the borders, so I cannot always be there. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you. Burn this after you have read it.

Love,

Kaze

 

 

Miharu kept staring at the last two lines, especially the second to the last. She blushed at herself for some reason, she felt silly. She also felt awful having to burn this letter from him, but she supposed it was for the best. She dropped it into one of the fires, and it burned quickly. She sighed.

 

An idea came to her. He said he would meet her any time she liked if he could. She looked up into the sky. Was he watching her now? Somehow the thought comforted her. She walked to the gazebo quickly, and searched all over. But there was no Kaze, and no “sign.” She sighed again, and headed back to her room.

 

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

AN

Not much to say… short chapter. Things are gonna pick up pretty quick here.