Chiyome's True Love - ONE SHOT

Chapter 1

Chiyome stood by the entrance of the shrine waiting patiently for him to walk by.  She was still in training to be a shrine maiden and was supposed to attending to her daily tasks, but it was just after sunrise and she didn’t want to miss seeing him walk past.  The sound of voices around the corner sent her scrambling to fix her hair for the 10th time.  She peeked around the stone wall, and saw two shadows approaching.  Straightening her haori, Chiyome moved out from her hiding place and started sweeping the massive walkway leading up to the shrine. 

Two men walked by, speaking and laughing loudly.  Chiyome’s shoulders sunk as she realized neither was the one she was hoping for.  She frowned, biting her lower lip worriedly.  He was late.  Definitely not like him.  She propped the broom up against the wall and stepped out of the gate.

“Watch out!”  A male shouted.

Chiyome turned at the sound of his voice.  She had just enough time to put up her hands and brace herself against the force of the collision.  He crashed into her scrolls flying everywhere.  Chiyome hit the ground, all the air knocked completely out of her.  He landed ungracefully on top of her, his weight making it impossible for her to regain her lost breath.

“I’m so sorry!”  He cried frantically, scrambling to his feet.  “I should have been paying attention to where I was going!  I’m late, you see, and…”  He stopped mid-sentence, staring at her with wide eyes.  “I-I…”  He swallowed, then tried to speak again.  “A-are you okay?”  He asked in a rush, holding out his hand.

Chiyome let him help her up, desperately trying to fix her mussed hair.  “I-I’m fine.” She mumbled softly, unable to meet his eyes. 

“Are you sure?”  He asked.  “You look kind of pale.” 

“I… I…”  She mentally cursed herself.  Breathe!  She screamed in her head.  Say something!  Anything!

“Perhaps you should sit down.”  He guided her into the gates and sat her down on a stone bench close by.  “I’ll be right back.  I just need to collect my things.  Stay right here, okay?”

Chiyome nodded, wringing her hands nervously in her lap.  He raced back to the gate and disappeared.  In the time it took for him to collect his things, she’d fixed her hair and clothing, and regained a measure of her wits again.  Now she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.  It was him!  He looked at her, spoken to her, even touched her hand!  She was so happy she wanted to jump up and dance around the shrine.  He walked back over to her, and this time Chiyome was brave enough to look at him.  He met her gaze with warm brown eyes and a gentle smile. 

“Oh, thank goodness!”  He said.  “The color’s returned to your cheeks!  I really am sorry about that.  I’m running late this morning.”

She stood to her feet as he approached.  “Then you should probably get going.  I promise you, I’m fine.”  Chiyome let out a whoop of excitement in her mind.  She’d done it!  She’d talked to him!

He stared at her for a few seconds, his slow smile evaporating the little bit of confidence she managed to summon.

“You have a beautiful voice.  It makes me think of a warm summer breeze, or a sunrise on a crystal clear morning.” 

“Thank you.”  She replied, her voice weak and barely above a whisper.

Chiyome wondered if the young man before her realized how devastatingly handsome he was.  The combination of his looks, his smile and his wonderfully deep voice made her want to melt into a puddle on the ground.