saving her

timeline 2 (1853)

The cycle of birth... reincarnation. Now a part of this world, though it wasn't originally. The laws of the world rewritten for a single wish to come true.

Sho walked along the forest, the sound of the breeze and trees echoing in his head. Just then, he heard a cracking noise, which causes him to draw his blade. The cracking noise continues before Sho turns around, pointing his blade at a young village woman.

"W-Woah! Please don't....slice my throat open haha.." Sho's eyes soften as he looked at the young woman with black hair, tan skin, and a pink kimono. She also had a single mole under both her eyes.... As he does so, he remembers his past life. It was....

"I apologize, my name is [REDACTED], Mayari. I'm from the village nearby and I was trying to locate a specific flower." She introduced herself with a slight bow, trying to avoid the blade. Sho's eyes widen as he admired her beauty and how her voice was soft, warm, and loving. His eyes land on hers...but instead of finding them light brown, they were a dark red color. Sho, taken aback, immediately stuffs his blade back into his holder. He clears his throat, still a bit flustered.

"Pleasure to meet you, miss. My name is [REDACTED], Sho." He bowed, blushing. Mayari giggled as she smiled at him.

"I like your sword. I'm always fond of Samurais." She leaned in close to admire the handle of his blade. Sho turned bright red as he smelt her hair. It was like flowers....and it reminded him of..

"Do.. you remember me?" Sho asked quietly, blushing. Mayari raised an eyebrow at him.

"No...? Have we met before? Mayari narrowed her eyes at him, trying to study his features. "Because I don't seem to recognize you."

Sho's heart dropped, but he quickly recovered. He was rather confused by all of this. He thought back to his past life. He had traded his life for Mayari's. Still, he was reborn and here she was again, alive and...still the same, beautiful woman he loved. Her eyes were red...but maybe that's just a minor consequence of his wish.

"Mr. Samurai?" Sho snapped out of his thoughts, meeting Mayari's confused gazed. He chuckled, reassuring her with a smile.

"Yes.. sorry I was thinking about something. You said you were trying to find a flower?" He asked.

"Oh, yes. I was hoping to find a Tiger Lily. Maybe you can act as my bodyguard." Mayari winked playfully at him. Sho raised an eyebrow before laughing softly.

"Okay, beautiful. Lead the way." He smirked. Mayari grinned as she started walking through the forest. Sho sighed, admiring her beauty. Her personality was rather more playful than it was when she was a queen, but she still was as kind hearted as ever.

"Thank you for accompanying me. Here, as a gift." She handed him a spare tiger lily to him with a smile. Sho blushed, taking the flower with a soft smile.

"You're so kind, Mayari. I... hope you don't mind me calling you by your first name." Sho looked off to the side, his cheeks flushed.

"That's okay. Maybe I'll see you again." Mayari giggled softly.

"My love, there you are! I've been looking all over for you." Just then, a tall man approached the pair. He immediately wrapped his arms around Mayari, which makes Sho's eye twitch slightly.

"Oh! Haha...I'm sorry. I was just in the forest. Also, I told you to stop calling me that." Mayari blushed, embarrassed. The man chuckled and shook his head.

"Nonsense. We're to be wedded soon anyway. Might as well get used to it." He leaned down and kissed her cheek. Sho glared at the man, filled with rage and jealousy.