Chapter 18: Chapter 18

I wish I were able to bring Io a gift every day. It seems that waiting the two days to be near her is even too much for me. It has been almost eight days since I have seen her face. It has been much too long. If I have my way and she accept me, we will never spend this long apart again.

Her last gift is one I made myself. I have watched my mother many of times as she mixes her potions of healing. Sometimes what she made was not a potion but a scent to wear upon the skin. I have heard my father be enticed by such a thing. For the times I have spent with Io she has always smelled lightly of cherry blossoms. It took me not being around her to finally place the scent. I made a guess that it was something she would put in her bath, so I decided to make her a scent from them. It has taken me days to get it exactly right.

We have none of the trees on the property and as it is the last days of the Hanami season, I had to pick all the flowers myself. I chose to pick them from the tree where we had our first talk. I declined my meals the last few nights so that no one would catch me crushing the flowers to get their essence. It took me days to crush enough flowers to be enough. As I place in the perfecting touch of a bit of lavender oil, so the essence does not rot, I am filled with relief that it was done in time.

Before making the journey to her village I once again stop at the tree. It saddens me that it is almost bare. I climb up into the tree and break a few branches that are still blooming. Once I feel I have enough I bind them together with a piece of twine I have in my pocket. A part of me hopes I will see her today. The other part knows I may not and is prepared to keep thinking of gifts.

When I reach her hut a little after supper time it is quiet. Too quiet for a non-working time. I knock on the door, but my knock goes unanswered. They must not be home. I place the flowers, perfume, and note on the porch and turn to walk away. The last few times I came I waited until supper so I knew she would be home. I should have done the same if I had hopes of seeing her.

“Hello” I hear. I freeze in my steps and close my eyes at the sound of her voice. I turn to her prepared for her rejection. What I see has me smiling in hope. She wears my kimono upon her flesh as she smells the flowers I just brought. She meets my gaze and says nothing else.

“I am terribly sorry Io. When we were supposed to meet, I had just taken a half days journey with my parents. They were tired and decided to stay another day. I had no way to get a message to you. I so desperately wanted to see you. I still do. I never meant to cause you pain or have you feel anger toward me.” I rush to say

“Do I look saddened or angry to you” she asks.

“No ……you look beautiful” I confess and as I do, she blushes as only she does. “I have missed you so.” I take a step forward but stop in my tracks. I cannot rush this. We have barely talked and agreed upon nothing.

“I thank you for the gifts you sent. They have been quite lovely and complimented your words” she begins. “However, I am not willing to forgive you just yet. You are right that you caused me anger and pain. I had bought a new dress to wear for you. I had to go to your village to do it. As it got later, I cooked you dinner in case you hadn’t eaten. I was devastated when you didn’t show.” I look down so she will not see how much that pains me. I did not know until now how much I had screwed up. My gifts did not begin to make up for the effort she made. “But I am willing to try again if you are. Provided of course you do your hardest not to make me feel that way again.” she finishes.

I smile at her and nod my head. “Nothing would bring me more joy, Io. “. I say stepping forward.

When I stand in front her, I kneel on to one knee and she gasps bringing her hand to her mouth. “I wish to still court you to be my bride if you will have me” I ask. She smiles and nods. As I stand, I pick up the vial and note that she missed. I hand her the vial and she eyed it suspiciously. “It’s not medicine my dear but a scent I hope you will like.” I inform her. She opens the bottle to smell and her eyes light up.

“It smells of the blossoms. However, did you find such a thing.” She exclaims.

I scratch my head and blush in embarrassment. I did not think I would feel so foolish giving her such a simple gift. “I …...uh actually made it myself. I crushed many of the blossoms from the tree where we met. I then bound the essence with lavender oil to keep it from rotting so it would last.” I admit

“It is a wonderful gift. The best one yet because you made it yourself. I will cherish it always. “She says. She leans forward and kisses my cheek in thanks. “What does the note say she ask”?

I had forgotten about the note already. I fumble trying to turn it over so I can read it for her. “The last days of Hanami will soon fall to a close. So, you will not forget the season we met I have found a way to bottle it for you. May you carry the scent of Sakura and me forever as I will you. I’m sorry Io” I read her. Looking at her face I see her eyes redden with tears and rush to embrace her in fear I have done something wrong.

“I’m sorry. I swear I thought you would like the gift. I can take it back and make you something anew” I rush to say. I am surprised to hear her laughter on my chest from where her head is cradled. She pulls back staying in my embrace.

“You will do no such thing. It is mine forever just as you said. Your note made it mean so much more than you could know. I love it” she says.

“Then why the tears if you are happy. I don’t want to cause you to cry.” I plead.

“Unknowingly you have given me more than a scent. You have given me another connection to my mother. For as I told you in the cave her name was Sakura” she informs me.

Not knowing what to say I hug her tighter and press my lips to her hair. I am so happy to have her in my arms again. I truly have missed this. After holding her a while, I have a thought. “I know it is late, but I just had an idea. I would like to take you somewhere I promise we won’t be long” I say.

“I would like that. I must just inform my father of my leaving” she says. As she steps from my embrace and turns to enter her hut I swallow. I hope she is allowed to go. I know her father does not think much of me. I stand at the door waiting for her return and when I see her smile, I know all is well. Until her father steps to the door behind her. I bow low and to show him respect I wait for permission to rise. It is a custom that we arrange for nobility but in some instances, it shows an enormous amount of respect to the receiver.

“You may rise Draco” at my full height I meet his gaze. Before I begin to speak, he beats me to it. “My daughter wishes to take a brief journey with you. I have agreed because I trust her. So, I ask can I trust you boy?” he questions.

“Yes, sir. I promise not to have her out too late. I am not here to hurt again. I truly do want her for my bride. Of course, after I earn your blessing” I rush to say.

“If that is your will then you may call me Homura. Look after her on this journey” he commands.

“I promise” I say. Once I deliver my oath Io tugs me from the door and I begin to lead the way. I briefly look back at her hut and see that her father is watching us go. I know we do not have much time, so I twine my fingers with hers and pick up the pace.

“I have seen the place that you go to when you just want to be yourself. It allowed me to know so many things about you. I decided that if I should see you again, I would show you mine.” I caution her.

“Why do you say it with that tone?” she asks as we reach the hills between our villages.

“Well, when I go to my place it is usually after something terrible has happened.” I confess.

As we reach the hill, I make a right and guide her down the slope to a tree at its base. “This tree is called a Ginkgo Biloba and is the only one of its kind in the valley. All of my ancestors have in drawn in the family portraits over the years. The name of it means living fossil.” I look to her and see her taking in my knowledge with wide eyes. I drop my gaze before I give her my story of why this place means so much to me. “The first time I came here was I was seven. I ran all the way from my home to escape the general in one of his moods. At that age I could already see how he treated my mother. I would spend the entire days with her, and he had just decided that I should start to become a man. He wanted to remove me from her side and send me away for a year to learn discipline” I pause as I lean against the tree.

“That is such an early age. You were still just a child” she says.

“Yes, I was. I did not understand that he just wanted me to learn all I knew was that he wanted to take me from the only person I knew loved me. So, I refused. That was the first time he beat me for disobedience. When I could get away from him, I ran here and hid until one of the servants found me. I have run here each time it happens” I tell her.

“That is an awful thing Draco. I am glad however that this tree brought you solace in a time of need. What did your mother do about the beatings?” She asks.

“Nothing. She would fear that he turns on her instead. I would believe that he is capable even though I have never seen it.” I answer. She nods in understanding. “I would like this to be a place for both of us. Would you allow me to carve our names into its bark” I ask pulling the small blade from the pocket of my robe.

“Our place” she repeats. “Yes, that sounds fitting indeed. I would love to become a part of your solace” she agrees. This time it is I who kisses her cheek in thanks and then I turn to start carving the tree.

When the carving is complete it reads Io and Draco. It is big enough for those who approach the tree to see. It brings me joy to have a keepsake of us. I grab her head and lead her around the hill so that we can again walk the path to her hut. As we walk Io leans into my side at an odd breeze. I feel my body shiver but not from the cold as I pull her closer. Having her body heat so close does something to me. When her hut comes into view, I feel her sigh. In my mind I too think this meeting has been far too brief.

“I plan to see you again in two days’ time. I will bring another courting gift when I come. I must ask a small favor” I say. She nods for me to continue.

“I need you to know that I want you for my bride Io. I want no other. However, if it comes a case where I do not show up I ask that you wait for me to explain. I don’t want to go this long again without hearing your voice or seeing you at my side” I plead.

She frowns considering my statement but nods her head. I feel relieved. My footsteps stop while we are just out of hearing range for her home. I take her from my side and pull her into my arms. I had meant to be gentlemanly and leave her with an embrace. Somehow I find myself asking her one last question. “Might I kiss you goodbye until I see you again?” At her nod I press my lips to hers.

This time her lips open of their own accord, and I feel her tongue tentatively touch my bottom lip seeking entrance into my mouth. I open for her and as her tongue touches mine I groan and tighten my arms around her waist. As our tongues entwine I feel her arms wrap around my neck to pull me closer. She lets of a small sound and my pulse roars in my ears as my blood rushes south. I quickly end the kiss afraid of frightening her and let her body slide against mine as her feet hit the ground once more. I feel her inhale a quick breath as she feels the reaction she has caused in my body from her kiss. I take a step back keeping her in my embrace as she blushes profusely.

“Good night my Io” I breathe.

“Good night” she says with a sigh. With her farewell still ringing in my ears she turns to her hut. I watch her until she walks in the door. Then I turn to head home with a smile on my face.

When I walk into my home I cannot deny that there is a skip to my step. As I think of that kiss and of what Io and I shared I feel as if I walk on air. Making my way to my room I see that the lantern to the sitting room is lit. I peek inside the room and see my mother in a chair by the fire. She is watching the flames.

“Hello ma” I say in greeting.

She smiles “hello my er zi.” When she turns to face me, she takes in my attire. “Are you just making it home? Where have you been this evening” she demands to know.

“I’ve just been for a long walk around the village to clear my head” I lie to her. I see her give a sigh and purse her lips. She gestures for me to take a seat in the chair to her right. When I sit she leans forward.

“Take warning Draco of how you are acting. You would not want to upset your ba by acting ill mannered. You are to be wed to Shee soon and must quell these wild ways. Her first courting gift was sent this day. Have you forgotten? You were supposed to be here.” She insists.

“I had not forgotten about the sending. I just wished to be someplace else. He sends the gifts for me either way. What need to have to be here unless it is to read her letter of thank?” I implore her.

“It is what’s right. Think of how you will fare if you know not what was sent. You made it clear from the beginning how you felt about the arrangement. You are to still take it seriously my er zi. There are but twenty-nine days left and only three until your robe fitting.” she reminds me. “I have had no way of convincing your father to give you your wishes. If he were to find out how late you have come home he would ignore them altogether. Do not give him a reason son” she begs me.

“I understand ma. I will not return home this late again. I will also be here when the gifts are sent off and received. You do not have to worry. I just ask that you do not give up on letting me find love for myself.” I ask her in return. She nods in agreement.

“I know you worry that you will not find happiness because you did not choose your own bride. It is possible. You just have to give it a chance” she states.

“Ma, I want to know how many chances you gave ba before you knew you loved him” I ask. She looks shocked that I am asking the question.

“Many but upon that first meeting I knew that he would be mine. The man I knew then has been hardened now. Then he was kind, charming and honest. He always let me know exactly what to expect and gave me my space to accept it. He never put down my practices or made fun of my ways. I knew I loved him when he truly embraced them. Instead of calling on a doctor when he felt ill he would send for me to heal him” she says with a smile. “he said that due to the love he felt in my touch he would be at his strongest. It was with that final admission I agreed to become his first concubine in courting” she finishes.

“I have only ever seen his honesty and anger. If the years have changed him so, how can you expect me to want the same fate knowing he makes many miserable” I venture.

“Sometimes it is not what a person says that you must always hold your focus. It is in their actions that one shows you how they truly feel. Have you not the best clothes? Food? Tutors? He makes sure you want for nothing, and most times fills your want without being asked.” She reminds me. “Would it be so bad to be like him? To be loved by many? To be an owner of land and money? He has his own way of going about the things he does, but if you look closely they are all for you” she chided. As I think I see a little of what she means.

With the conversation settled we turn to watch the fire in silence. In my mind I think of ways to see her point of view of my ba. Maybe he truly is not so bad after all. When the fires embers burn to a dull glow we bid each other good night and head off to bed.

When I leave my studies the next day I walk around the village square trying to think of the next gift I will give Io. I am to see her tomorrow and want a gift that means something. If I could produce a way to show not only her but her father how I feel, it would be perfect.