As I enter our hut, I rush to our bathing room to ready for supper. I realize how hungry I am as I was my hands and face as I have not eaten since morning. A part of me wishes that I could avoid sharing a meal with my father because he seems to be in a mood today. I feel as if he acted untoward to Draco today even though they had just met. I know my father is going to want to talk about my day. Specifically, I think the conversation will linger on the kiss I shared with Draco outside. I feel my cheeks heat at the small taste of him still on the tip of my tongue.
Father looked so displeased. I am at a woman’s age. I have seen many of the others in my village kiss when being wooed. I have not the faintest idea in my mind to why my father would look at us in contempt for completing such an act. He should be happy for me that I have found someone. I decide that I may as well get the conversation over with. I take a deep breath and exit my room. When I enter the dining room, he has already taken his seat at the table. I take mine and begin serving the rice and fish onto our plates. As we begin to eat, I keep sneaking peeks at him waiting for the conversation to begin. After a few moments I start to think that maybe he never wanted to have a conversation. So, I finish my food. With my empty plate I gather the rest of the empty dishes from the table and take them to the kitchen. I grab the cloth and wash each dish. When I place the last dish into the drying rack father comes in and places his dish into the sink. I turn toward my room to ready for bed when he calls my name. I turn to look at him as I brace myself for what he has to say. He leans his back against the sink and runs a hand through his greying hair. “I know that you are of age to begin being wooed. What I do not understand is your choice. Do you know who this boy you have brought to our village is? The tales that have been told of what goes on in his home or that of his father?” He presses. “I did not know the answers to those questions until today. He told me who he is and about his life” I reply. “Then why bring him here when you see there can be no future? Why agree to keep seeing him if you know? I warned you Io to be aware of his will. I warned you to shield yourself from pain” he retorts. “How can you assume that we will have no future. You do not know him truly. His will is to court me father. He sees me as someone who can be his bride.” I yell. “Then what will become of your future? You would willingly deal with a man who must have others. To marry someone who only wants to use you for birthing his heirs. I raised you better than this. I taught you to have more value in yourself” he hisses. “I do value myself father. This will be a love match and he will have no other. He wants no other. I will be his wife and someday we will leave this place” I snap as tears begin to stream down my cheeks. My father begins to pace. “He is of a higher station in his village. They may not accept you as his bride because you are not used to their ways. I beg you to see the bigger picture daughter. To see that he will betray you and go on with his ways. He is not like us, and you are not like them. See that this cannot work and end it before you are left in ruin” he pleads. I lower my head to think about what he is saying. Draco has never been cruel. He returned on two days’ time as he had promised. He does not want to cause me pain like my father’s says. The way I feel cannot be changed. He is wrong. “I know you think of me as naive. I know more than you think father. I believe in Draco. He will not hurt me. You will see…. when he comes in two days’ time to begin courting me, you will see” I declare. As I turn my back on him, I wipe the tears from my eyes. I stand tall as I walk to my room. I will keep my faith in Draco and his word. I must. I feel too much not to.When I return home, it is dark. As I look out my window at the stable, I see no horses. My mother has not returned. Food has been left on my bed by one of the servants. I sit down to eat. As I lift the lid I see smoked chicken, rice, and peas. It is still warm to the touch, and I am famished. I clear my plate quickly. As I pass by my wardrobe, I see that a servant has already been in to pack my bags for the trip tomorrow. I sigh. This is the generals silent command when we are to leave for a journey at daybreak. I know I need to get some sleep. As I lay on my kang so many thoughts run through my mind. I hope my mother returns in time for the trip so that it is not just me and the general. That would be a journey more dreadful than just going to meet my future bride. The thought has my emotions easily flip to anger. I do not want this. I will not label her as my bride. She will just be a girl that I meet tomorrow. A part of me hopes that things go bad, and my parents reth
As I follow Shee out into the hall I take another look at her figure now that she is standing. She is much shorter than I thought. Where the top of Io’s head reaches my shoulder, hers would barely come up to my chest. She has a very curvy figure and walks with a wide gate. As she takes a turn, I see an exit ahead that must lead to the outside of the grounds. She picks up her pace and I take longer strides to keep up. I find it odd that she is supposed to be giving me a tour and yet she has said nothing. As we round her hut I look around. The ground has been leveled into a path lined with rocks. On either side there are rows of pink peonies and lotus. The fragrance is soothing and appealing. As we walk a bit further down that path, I see servants tending horses in their stables. She heads in that direction as I follow. When we reach the stables, she finally speaks. “You are dismissed I wish to speak privately” she commands. Her voice is thick and breathy. As the servants leave
I wake slowly as the sun shines through my window. I stretch the soreness from yesterday’s demanding work out of my body. I stayed later than midday so I would receive my payment early and not have to work today. I wanted to look special for Draco so I decided it would be helpful if I had more time. I rise from my kang to head into the bathing room to prepare for my day. I plan to head into the village and buy a new dress today. It has been a long while since I bought something new to wear. I want it to look nice for Draco on our first day of courting. As I comb my hair, I hear my father in the other room moving around. He must be getting himself ready for his day of work in the fields. After the conversation that we had the day before yesterday we have not spoken. He knows today that I am going to see Draco. I want to avoid him because I know he will have more to say. When I am through untangling my hair, I carefully twist it into a bun. Satisfied that it will stay in pl
I rise from the bed when the sun streams in. I rub my eyes and yawn so big my jaw cracks. I slept terribly. I am ready to just get this day over. I quickly dress and leave the room I have been assigned. The house is still. I believe I am the first one to wake. I take quiet steps down the stairs and head toward the exit I took with Shee last evening. Once outside I take a deep breath of the morning air. There are a few servants moving about. Today feels odd. I had awoken so happy the last few days because I knew that I would see her soon. I dread today. Yesterday’s confusion will have our parents pushing us together. On one side I will be forced to spend time with her as if we are courting. On the other hand, we could use the time to strategically plan what we can do about our impending nuptials. How can I be happy with either of my choices today when I know Io will just be waiting for me. I wonder how long she will wait until she realizes I will not show. There is a throat cl
Looking down at myself I am truly in awe. I feel so beautiful. The sash of the dress when applied makes it an even greater choice. The fabric is cinched in over the top of my stomach and highlights the flare of my hips. My breasts are slightly pushed up and more pronounced. Half of my hair lies in a ponytail while the rest flows down the back of my dress. They have such a nice contrast. The flower I chose to wear in my hair is placed right above my ear on the right. I chose this side because of when Draco brushed my head back. When I sniff the air in my room all I smell is the sweet aroma of the blossoms I added to the bath. Truly hope he likes what he sees when he arrives. I slip my geta on my feet and go to sit at the table until he arrives. I would not want to be rushing again and injure him. I decide it would be best to leave the door cracked. The sun is high in the sky, and I know that any moment he will walk through that door. So, I wait, and I wait. The time seems to b
When we return home after our journey. The evening is quiet. There are just a few rays of sun left in the sky. I turn toward them knowing they will lead me to Io. I know I must see her to explain. After I have taken my first step my father once again ruins it all. “You will not be taking your leave this late in the day. We will be eating supper together and then heading off to bed. Into the home Draco.” He commands. I place my head down in defeat and do what the general says. Apologizing to Io will have to wait until tomorrow. I head through the grounds and up to my room. I change into normal robes and go join my parents in the dining room. Since father is home, he will sit at one end with my mother. While I sit all the way at the other by myself. When he claps his hands for our food to be set in front of us, I stare at my plate as it is placed before me. Today is fish and rice. This is mostly what Io eats I think to myself. I hope she is enjoying her food. As I lift a bite t
I hear his apology through the door. I cannot see him though to know if it is real. My father blocks my view. I do not want to see him, but it would have been nice, I think. Just hearing his voice when I thought I never would again make my heartbeat faster. I walk away from the door and go back to my room. Sometime later my father knocks on my door. He enters my room and leans against the door. “The boy has gone” he informs me. I nod my head. There is not anything for me to say. Father was right. I lay down on my kang and father exits my room. I wonder if Draco really is sorry. Why didn’t he show up last midday? I have so many questions but after how he made me feel, I am not sure I want the answers. ~Two days later~ Father and I are just sitting down to eat supper when there is a knock on the door. I look at father and see that his face looks curious. He was not expecting anyone. He goes to the door and opens it. “Hello sir, I am here to bring Io her first gift” I h
My studies have just ended. Today was more arithmetic. It is a wonder how much math one must know to survive when owning something. I do not know how my ba could look at so many numbers. As I think I walk to the center of the village. I am heading to the shop of the seamstress to buy the next gift for Io. I hope that she likes the book I got her. It is my favorite out of all that I have read. When I read that book, I am reminded that the mind moves. One must not only put stock in material things because once they are gone, they are left with only loss and decline. If they learn to put stock in the experiences with family and friends, then one will only know enlightenment. I chose it as a way to show Io that I am more than just the station I hold because of my father’s gain. To show her that I hold more stock in such things as us. I hope she gets the message. When I reach the shop, I pause in the entry. Qunzi is tending to another woman from the village. I silently wait b
I have experienced a lot in the twenty-five years I have had on this earth. Everyone knows the day I was born. They know where I lived and what I looked like. My adoptive parents were visited for years so others could ask questions about me. Everyone in the world was curious about the baby girl who hatched out of an egg filmed live to the world. People knew my name but because most didn't talk to me directly, I was alone.On the night I was born the world was in a state of shock when so many children hatched from eggs all across the world. We were all different shapes and sizes. What made us stand out from the rest were the unique features that we had. For some of us it was the startling beauty of our eyes. For others was their size or abilities that could be seen right away. The thing that made me stand out was my hair. It was a deep coal black with unnatural red streaks.A week before my sixth birthday my whole life changed. The home of my adoptive parents caught fire. Somehow I was
As I come out of my memories from the past I find that I am still confused. I have more than paid my dues for the death of the boy that I love. The day I visited his mother at their estate I can still hardly remember after all this time. I remember telling her about the child as I fought the waves that had surrounded me in a deafening wave. The rest of that night as well as many nights are a blur to me now. “What am I supposed to do Draco? I do not know what your mother wants from me. I just want to rest and for this torment to end. I am so tired” I plead in the night to the statue of the boy I love. When I awoke the next morning after visiting his mother, I was in the middle of no where far from home. I laid naked in a field in extreme pain and disoriented. When I rose to stand I put my hands on my stomach only to find it flat. I cried as I realized that somehow I had lost my child. I wanted to return home, but I had no direction to where my home was. I remember walking for day
Ahead on the slowly inclining slope we here a voice raised in the air. As we take a pause listening the night goes quiet. The guards signal us with a raised fist in the air to hold our positions. After a few seconds, their hands lower and we take a few steps. “Somebody please. Somebody please help me. Oh god, please. Please help me” Someone screams. The old man must know the scream because once he hears it he begins to run up the slope faster than I have seen someone his age move. The guards quickly rush after him with Santo-San behind him as they go. As we hear the cave I can hear a girl crying and as we reach the caves entrance a horrible scream pierces the air. With the guards at the ready in front of us there is a pause at the entrance of the cave in the dim light. To my left a lantern barely flickers. As I approach the men in front of me to see what has them so captured. I see the girl holding something. As I my eye adjust from the moonlight to the dim light of the cave I r
The day four weeks ago still stays on repeat in my head. I have sat in his room since surrounded by all his things. In the evenings I sit in the sitting room and replay our conversations by the fire. I have cried at the pain I feel all this time. My boy is gone, and I have no one to blame for him leaving but myself. I have not spoken to anyone since that day. I live in the memories of my son. That day when Draco pushed me away after he found out the truth I had remained seated in my pride. I was hurt that he would speak to me, the woman who birthed him, in such a way. Normally, when he is hurt he runs to his tree to have some time to himself. I thought that he would go there to think and to get over what he had heard. As his ma I should have known that this time would be different. I had dismissed my lady maid as soon as Draco left the room so I could have time to think to myself. For a few moments I felt guilty at what I had done. That feeling was however fleeting and I soon ro
I have so many things running through my mind at the moment that I do not know how to feel. My world was rocked on its axis when I found out about his engagement. Now he has told me that the entire time he has been fighting against it, but his mother had her own agenda. For the moment, my anger breaks, and tears spring to my eyes. What could I have done to deserve such a fate? Why did it take him so long to come to me? I cant voice any of these questions as deep sobs are being wrenched from my throat at the pain I feel. I thought I had lost him. I never knew that something in this world could cause me so much pain. I feel Draco wrap his arms around me as I cry. Seeking comfort to my chaotic emotions I turn into his arms. I use him as my piece of solace as I try to let go of the pain. We sit down as he hums our song trying to soothe me further. Soon my tears dry up and all I sense is quiet. My heart is no longer kissing in my chest. For days I felt like my world was ending.
So many things in life can just never go the way that you want them to. It does not matter if you have been good person or how hard you tried. So many calls the events of life that happen with no regard fate. Well, if this is fate then I do not want any part of it. I want nothing more than to go against fate and go after what I want. I just do not have what it takes to hurt people. All I want in this life is love and even that has been denied to me. As I lay on my kang and ponder the way the world revolves I am filled with a sad melancholy of what has become my life. Today is my wedding day. I always imagined that on this day I would be filled with excitement to be pledging my life to another for eternity. It is sad to say but in this moment, I feel nothing. For the last view days, I have found that I am unable to dredge up any emotion. I am just being the good boy who listens and follows directions. Without her this is what my life has become. She left without a word. Just one sm
When Draco leaves the room with his father I begin to fidget in my seat. His mother stares at me from across the room. She looks almost regal sitting there. Her brown hair is in a long braid drifting to the side and nearly touching the floor. Her kimono is made from the finest silk and when she moves it shimmers like water. She is a woman of true beauty. She has a symmetrical face with high cheek bones. As she sits there staring I can feel myself trimmer in my seat. The air is tight, and I feel as if I am caught in a tough wave. In the tense silence I clear my throat ready to speak. “I.. I feel as if I have angered you and that was not my intention. I am here because I love Draco and wish to marry him” I stammer. At my statement she purses her lips into a thin line. I can immediately tell she does not care about my intentions for her son. I really wish Draco were here. I do not know how to get through to her. “I will speak plainly girl so hear me well. You are not fit to marry
Everything has to be perfect today. I find myself in such a giddy mood I know that it is affecting everyone in my home. Today Io will be coming for dinner to meet my parents. I have had the servants pick flowers from my mother’s gardens and set them around the house to give it a sweet aroma. I also had the chef prepare some of the smoked meats with rice and vegetables. For dessert we will be having a variety of mochi sweets. As I look at the position of the sun outside the window my stomach churns with nervous energy that she will be arriving any moment. I head to the dining room to check on the placements and ensure everything is ready. When I am satisfied with what is done I see my parents coming down the stairs in matching kimonos. They have decided to wear the kimonos that symbolized the water that my mother uses to heal. Both of them are draped with lines of gold to show our wealth. I chose to wear a simple dark blue kimono with the family crest in gold over my right pectoral
My breath is coming fast from my lungs. I can feel the stretch of my womanhood around his member. Draco lies still above me. His eyes are closed, and his cool breath hits my face. When he opens his eyes I can see the love in his gaze. I squirm against the amount of heat the look gives me. His breath hitches at my movements. “I’m sorry Io” he says. Then he kisses me hard. His lips tug against mine in smooth motion. When he takes my bottom lip in between his teeth he pushes further into me. Pain. In this instant that is all I feel. I cry into his kiss as he rubs his lips against mine. I break the kiss as I feel tears slowly leak from my eyes. I can hear Draco apologizing as he rubs his fingers through my hair and kisses the tears that fall upon my cheeks. “Breathe my love. Just breathe” he soothes. I take a deep breath in a rush to fill my lungs. As I try to breathe through the pain my legs rub against the outside of his in an attempt to relieve the ache I feel between my le