The Reflection Of True Love

The Witch

The sun was shining and Yumi was on her way to find a quiet spot high up in a tree so she could practice sketching. Most of the pages of her little notebook had sketches of rabbits on them. She cherished her small leather bound sketchbook. Her father made it himself after he'd wanted to use the hide of a deer that he'd killed. Yumi thought her father was so clever as he washed the hide and scraped off all the flesh until just the skin was left. She watched the whole process and when he finally handed her the finished notebook, she promised to take great care of it. At first she planned to use it as a diary but started sketching instead and the pages soon became mini canvases as she started to teach herself how to draw.

Yumi would have preferred to go to the house castle today but her father was going to town to trade some goods so she agreed that she would find something else to do instead. She'd been surprised that she'd managed to talk him around to allow her to go to visit the man and not only that, but to agree to meet the man himself. Yumi liked the man in the mask, even when he growled and grumbled at her. She could see a kindness in his eyes behind the ornate mask but she also saw sadness without understanding where it came from. The little vampire considered that perhaps the man didn't like people and that's why he reacted the way he did but when he permitted her into his garden and showed her how to tend to the plants, she changed her mind. Yumi didn't like the rumours about him because anyone who could handle delicate petals with such gentle hands and grow such beautiful flowers, couldn't be as people say and she refused to believe he was mean.

The forest was her sanctuary at times. It was her place of education, somewhere she could find something new, even if that meant which trees not to climb because the branches weren't strong enough and it would mean landing on the floor. There had been many changes to the woodland over the years and she's witnessed the majority of them. Some areas are a lot more dense than they used to be and others have cleared a little depending on the wildlife that live there. She sat in the trees and watched humans walk past on the same day every week until those particular humans stopped, only to be replaced by different ones. Many families have come and gone, grown before her eyes while the little vampire remained the same.

Up ahead she sees a woman she recognised, a scent that was unpleasantly familiar, one she hadn't seen in a long time. Yumi hurried to catch up with her, "Let me help you." she offered to the lady carrying too many bags.

"Hello again." the woman says kindly, allowing Yumi to take one of the bags.

"You remember me?"

"I do, little vampire girl."

Yumi smiles widely, practically skipping as she walks beside the lady she instantly recognised as the earth witch she met a long time ago. "Where are you going?"

"Home to make a potion." the witch answers, looking down at the girl whose two plaits bounce around as she skips beside her.

"For what?"

"An injured deer that I found."

"Can I help? I'd like to help. I rescued a bunny that I found and the man in the house castle helped. Am I allowed to help? You're a witch aren't you? Do you like vampires?"

"Does your father know that you are out in the forest?"

"Yes, he knows. He went to town."

"Yes then, you can help."

"I thought witches didn't like vampires?"

"I believe it isn't right to generalise. I tend to judge as I find. I'm not very good at following rules." The witch smiles.

"I don't like rules. My Appa would say I'm not good at following rules. Are you a witch? You smell like a witch."

The witch giggles, "Yes, I'm a witch."