Sunshine

Again and Again

I heard birds chirping and a gentle breeze. I groaned and rolled over in my sleep. I wanted to sleep for longer. I felt the comfortable blankets over me and the warmth of a new day. Wait... warmth? Perhaps it was the fire? I grumbled as I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

I looked around the room to find it much different than the last time I was awake. The furniture was moved around and replaced with newer versions. The curtains are a new light blue color. It was as if the place were updated, and the air flowing through the window was much more spring-like. Is it not winter anymore?

I watched the curtains move in the slight breeze; it smelled like flowers. It felt nice to wake up finally. I stretched and looked at the bed, a little sad to not see Kakashi. Oh... I looked at the window, realizing that if it weren't winter anymore, then how much time would have passed? I frowned and climbed out of bed, going over to change out of the nightgown I now had on.

I found a simple blue dress and pulled it on. I pinned my hair back and slipped on my shoes. I yawned as I went to open my door. I turned the knob... and pushed, but it would not budge. I stared at the big wooden door, annoyed. Who would lock me in here? Of course it was likely him.

"Hello?" I calmly called out.

I heard murmuring on the other side of the door, then footsteps. The jingling of keys and then the door opening revealed a few curious and scared maids. We stared at each other for a moment.

"L-Lady Mori, Master is in the fields... He is helping with the harvest, and he will be pleased to see you finally up!" One said, deciding to be braver than the rest. "We will send for him."

I held my hand up. "No need... I will go to him. Where are the fields?" I asked, assuming they couldn't be that far. Kye walked down the hall toward us and froze when he saw me. He looked scared out of his mind and the maids remain speechless. I sighed and walked to Kye, "Take me to the fields where Kakashi is right now." I demanded, then frowned, feeling bad. "Please?"

He looked unsure, and something in him made it hard to resist me, but perhaps he was given orders. Whatever was going on in his mind faded fast as I walked past him because he followed.

"Lady Mori, you should be in your room." He kept a few feet away. His voice was nervous.

"Nah, I will go to him even if I have to walk and wander around." I said it with a shrug.

It didn't take long for him to meet me out front with his horse. He helped me onto the horse while others watched with wide eyes. The way he held me made me feel funny, but I ignored it; I just wanted to see Kakashi.

As we rode away from the temple, like home, it became very evident that Kye was much weaker than Kakashi. He was human after all. His arm was gripping me tight, pressing me against his body awkwardly. It made me blush. I couldn't tell if this was on purpose or if he really was trying to keep me on the horse. I tried to move his hands away from pointedly being near my crouch.

It took a moment to make our way down the mountain—a separate way than when Kakashi took me. It seemed familiar. Soon fields appeared, and they indeed needed work. There were few people working on them. We rode for a while before he cut off to the side of the road and cleared his throat, gesturing for me. He pointed to a man far into the field, alone.

I slid off the horse, stumbling as I landed. I just grazed my hands but then started across the field to the busy, tall man. He was covered in sweat and tossing the large bundles of rice stalks into an animal-less cart.

No one seemed to notice me as I ran across the field toward him—not even him yet. It wasn't until a light breeze blew across the field, sweeping past me, that he froze and straightened up. He sniffed the air and turned confused as I slammed into him.