A girl and a Pillar

Crack of dawn

"Miss"?... The trainmen spoke as he poked me on the shoulder trying to wake me up. Ughh... how long was I out? 

"Where are we?"

"We have arrived at Sagiri village". 

"Sagiri"?... What ?

Realizing how far I was from home I said to myself "no turning back now". I grabbed my bag and hop off the train. I'm amazed at how beautiful and docile the village looked the roads were dirt pathways the trees were in full bloom and I could feel the spring's gentle breath wisp across my cheek almost feeling like a welcoming hug. 

The earth smelled of rain and the people... all very friendly and lively looking. "This is it". My new life begins here. 

As I walk along a dirt path I don't think a single soul missed out on at welcoming me to the village even the children stopped in amazement to see an unfamiliar stranger. 

"Who are you"? One of the little boys said. He was small and cute his round face was full of life his little eyes gleamed with passion yet so fragile. 

"My name is Mizaka" and what is your name little one? "I'm Toji Kyojuro" nice to meet you Mizaka!

"Well, Toji I'm very happy that I met you". You are my first friend here. 

He smiled so big I thought his smile was going to fall right off his tiny little face, he then ran away so abruptly and without notice I seen him disappear into some small shrubs and bushes and quickly came back with a small flower. 

 "When we make friends here we give flower's"...

I wanted to cry... the tiny gesture was small and yet so full of love in my eyes I wanted to hug the little stranger I had just met.

"Okay,"... 

I will remember that Toji next time I see you I promise to give you a present okay. He smiled and said that he had to go his mother would be looking for him I waved goodbye and proceeded on my path. Walking thru the small town I came across so many things I didn't have in my old town, this town was more... how do I say... it was so much more humbling, as if I was never a stranger here, everyone accepted me as I was... a complete stranger to them.

As I proceed to discover this new found land to me I begin to wonder that This town is very lively to be so far away from civilization, we are literally on the mountainside. I was kind of worried I made a decision without really thinking about where I was going, but now that I'm here what's on my mind now is where I will be staying the night and every other night.

During my path I set my eye's on a building just up ahead.

"There"! I saw it, it was ryokan in the distance i'll stay there for the nigh and then think of something or maybe I can talk to someone and see if anyones willing to let me stay a couple nights hopefully.

I walked in and was immediately welcomed by a sweet old woman. "hello" and welcome to our village ryokan my name is Chiyo. Will I be setting you up a room my dear? "How long are you staying on your journey?"

 I froze I didn't know what to say should I tell her the truth, or just tell her that I'm passing by? 

I glanced at her...

"Miss Chiyo,"... I'm sorry to ask but do you know of anyone who is willing to take someone in for a bit? I won't be returning anytime soon to my previous destination. she stood before me with a sleight smile almost took a minute to respond. 

"Running from the past I see"... Shocked at her response. "Oh!" no I just simply wanted to get away for a bit there's nothing wrong with my life back home. My smile must have been ear to ear to even have a chance at convincing her.