A Date with Fate

Ichi

Diary Entry Ichi (1)

April 12, 1120
Okinawa, Japan

I awoke from another nightmare this week. I've been plagued with them since the night of my escape. I feel like I will never be able to forget my dreadful past. But this time, I awoke to chocolate drops filled with such concern and compassion. She placed a cold, wet cloth upon my forehead and gave me a warm smile to see if I was awake. We never spoke to each other though. Maybe it was because I couldn't find my voice and she was quite shy. Nonetheless, I didn't mind.
I wandered for two weeks before stumbling upon this village. A family within the village took me in for about a week now. The man of the house was a samurai, but with no master. A ronin just like me. His wife was a beautiful geisha that taught young girls the way of the arts. Then there was their daughter, a young geisha as well. She seemed young but wise, like she has seen the worst of the world. I am unaware of my age, but I do believe to be around the same age as her. Fifteen at most.
She was beautiful. Her long jet-black hair ran down to her lower back in straight strands. Those brown eyes were inviting. Pink lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak. I caught myself staring at her lips, before it turned into a small smile.
"Would you like some jasmine green tea?" she spoke softly to not startle me.
I sat up and nodded at her. Her scent flooded my nostrils with lavender. I didn't understand what I was feeling. Was this "love at first sight," like in the stories I've heard about? Our eyes only met for a moment, until she looked down to pour the tea. Every move she made was enchanting. I felt like reaching out to her. Wrapping my arms around her form, and letting every worry disappear.
She handed me the cup of tea, with a hand under it for support. Her head was bowed and I only wished our gaze met once more. I grabbed the tea from her and bowed back. As I went to take a sip from the cup, she turned away.
"Does your nightmares cause you so much pain, that you yell out?" she glanced at me with a saddened expression.
I tried to find the words to say. Just anything at this point. "Does it wake you?" My voice was raspy, and sounded like I haven't talked in years.
She glanced away to set the tea pot onto a platter, but didn't move. "...No."
I knew it was a lie, but I didn't say anything about it. If she wished I didn't know the truth, then so be it. After a while of just silence, her mother came and slid open the door to motion for her daughter. The mother flashed me a smile and bowed at me. "It is good to see you are finally awake."
I knew then where the daughter got her looks from. "Yes. Thank you..."
"Of course, stay as long as you like." She turned to her daughter before speaking again. "Your father wants to see you."
She bowed to her mother and walked out the room. She didn't look too thrilled as she heard her say the word, "father." The mother didn't bother to look at me this time and just closed the door. I was alone now.
I couldn't stop thinking about her. She flooded my every thought. I've only just met her and know nothing about her. But I wish to know everything about her. Her, her, her! It was driving me crazy and the only interaction we have, was simply meeting eyes along with an exchange of a few words.
I tried to sit up again, but I had a rush of pain overcome me sending me to my original position. My head pounded, feeling like someone was taking a hammer to my head.
Surprisingly I fell asleep waiting for a chance that I could lay my eyes upon such a goddess again. Hours passed, and I awoke to a familiar scent. Lavender. The girl sat near the corner in the room, reading a scroll of some sort. It was dark outside, as a lit candle was at her side. I tried once again to sit up and succeeded this time. She lifted her eyes from the scroll and looked at me. Our eyes only met for a moment until she broke it by looking back at the scroll. Please, look back at me. Those eyes make me feel warm... welcomed. Loved.
Setting the scroll down she walked over to me and bowed her head at me. I bowed as well, waiting for what words would escape those perfect lips.
"Do you need anything?" she said in a low tone.
I shook my head. I couldn't possibly tell her I wanted her. I don't even know her name for sake. I wish I could speak to her, say something. I spoke perfectly fine to her mother but I just couldn't. She made my heart ache, each time our eyes met.
She was looking at me now. No, staring at me. My eyes widened as she placed her hand gently upon my left cheek. She frowned at me, making me raise a brow at her actions.
"Your scar..." she told me, caressing my cheek. I leaned into her hand, and closed my eyes for a moment to take it all in. "Your scar, does it still hurt? It has healed very fast..."
I almost forgot what scar she spoke of. The scar that will forever remind me of who I am and how I became like this now. My nightmares won't let me forget. My face, and my body won't let me either.
This was my chance to talk to her. To keep a conversation going and to learn more about her. I blinked a few times, with my mouth agape. She let my cheek go. At that moment I wanted to die. I would give my life to feel her warm touch again.
"Sorry... you must think I'm weird..." She said with a hurt smile.
When I saw her expression, my stomach dropped.
"No. Not at all! I'm the weird one... I mean I-" I stopped myself from saying what I truly felt towards her. A stranger. I'm the weird one. Wait. Does she even know I'm a female? I hide my gender so that I could be accepted as a samurai, but does she see right through me?
"You...?" She tried to get me to finish my sentence as I was lost in my thoughts.
"Nothing... Nothing, sorry." I shook my head at her, now avoiding her gaze. She raised a brow at me.
I quickly spoke up again, but still not looking at her. "You know... I'm a female... Right?"
She let out a soft laugh, raising her hand to cover her mouth as she did so. "Of course I do silly... I tended to your wounds and had to see if you had any other ones on your body."
My face was as red as a tomato. Crimson red in fact. She worried that my fever had returned, feeling my forehead. She saw my body... I just hope she wasn't disappointed. I was avoiding her eyes, dropping my gaze to the floor. Don't do anything stupid, don't do anything stupid.
Suddenly the door slid open, almost making my heart jump out of my chest. At least then, she could have my heart. At the door was her father. A stern man, dressed in traditional attire with jet black hair and deep dark eyes. He didn't smile nor frown. He stared me down, as my eyes widened with fear. I wasn't touching your daughter if that is what you think!
"What are you doing awake? You should be sleeping. You don't have to care for him 24/7." He told her, now not paying any attention to me.
"Yes father... I apologize, I was just checking before going now." She said with a bow and removed her hand from my forehead. I died a little inside.
She showed me a smile, almost sad as she bowed to me before leaving. I couldn't do anything but fall asleep thinking about her.