I Was Always There...

Chapter 2 : Confessions

"I guess there's no point in hiding it now" Obi said as he turned to face Shirayuki

"Oujo-san... I have nothing to offer you, I'm not rich, I don't have status... I don't have anything, however, I have endless love and iron clad devotion... I decided that even if you rejected me, I at least wanted you to know... because it just became too painful to hide it..."

"Obi..."

"Ouj-" Obi said as he was cut off by Shirayuki

"Obi!" Shirayuki said, raising her voice slightly

Obi stopped and looked into her eyes, the same eyes which carried some indescribable intensity.

"Please...please call me by my name" She said blushing slightly

Obi's eyes widened, hoping that this was implying what he hoped it was implying.

Nervously... he cleared his throat.

"Shirayuki...I, have loved you dearly for a very long time... in fact, I've loved you since the moment you took those unwavering steps after I shot an arrow in front of you" he said with such sincerity

Shirayuki lowered her gaze towards the ground...

"Do you mean it..." She asked, her voice low and shaking

"Every word"

Shirayuki looked up at Obi, her eyes bright and filled with tears...red streaked across her cheeks and most of all... a smile.

Obi hesitantly reached out his hand and gently placed it on her face, Shirayuki seemed to cry even more at this kind gesture, at the warmth and gentleness of his hand. She placed her hand over his and held it in its place.

They sat in their perfect silence, no words needed to be spoken.

Her smile, her tears, the expression she carried of relief and happiness... Obi loved her, for everything she was. The gestures and returned expression seemed to tell him clearly that she felt the same way, even if words were not spoken; their hearts communicated.

"Obi... I don't care about anything like money or possessions or status... The fact that you love me is the greatest treasure of them all" Shirayuki said in a gentle voice.

They sat together under the tree, Obi had his arm around Shirayuki holding her close as she nestled closer to him.

"Shirayuki... what do you want in the future? It can be anything" Obi said, uncertain of why he was speaking of such a random topic.

"In the future..?" her voice trailed off

"Well... if it could be anything, I guess I'd like to move to a town like this one, a new town with new people, with new things to see and learn... I'd really love my own little shop where I could treat the townspeople and train people wanting to become herbalists, and to go collecting herbs with you" she replied her voice picking up with excitement

Obi smiled at her and her image of the future, it seemed so simple...so perfect.

"Shirayuki... I promise, we'll find a town like that and open a little shop...As long as I can stay besides you..."

Shirayuki looked up at him and smiled "I can't wait"

Obi surprised her by gently kissing her on the cheek and putting his forehead to hers. For a moment they stayed like that until they smiled and laughed... Each feeling happiness from all the time they would have together, the promise of such a wonderful future... Obi felt his insecurity fade away, he was good enough...

He smiled and held Shirayuki closer, forgetting about the world... The two fell asleep peacefully under an apple tree.