The time of waiting for those two days seemed like an eternity. The parts of the day where I worked in the paddy fields were unable to distract my mind for once. I normally found the art of gathering husk of rice to be calming and a mindless action. At this time in March, we are still in the process of sowing our fields. The paddy fields must all be leveled before we began planting in a week’s time. This requires the men to use large rolling pins to make repeated paths across the land until it is all at the same depth. My job with the women consists of digging up small stones and other foreign objects that could impede the growth of the rice. As for the sections that are done being leveled, we must begin to flood them by carrying large basins of water to it from the river. This is a task that sometimes the men help with.

As I stand in the field having poured my last basin of water into my section for the day, I take a look at the sun. It is almost high in the center of the sky. I feel my pulse race at the thought that soon he will near my village. I waved to my father to signal him that I am leaving for the day. He smiles as he waves back. I decide to walk briskly home so that I may have the chance to change out of my work clothing before his arrival.

As I walk, I am reminded of the conversation I had with my father on my return from the celebration. I had walked into my home dazed by the power of Draco’s kiss with a smile upon my face. My father had spoken to me before I had noticed that he sat at our dining table.

“I was going to ask if you had enjoyed your time at the celebration, but from your smile I can tell that you did” he surmised with a chuckle.

As I rushed to take my seat so that I could tell him of my day. I could not help but to smile even larger at my eagerness to share.

“It was so much more than I imagined father. Seeing the blossoms above my head instead of from a distance made them so much more real. And the smell of them was so amazing I can still feel it in my nose at this distance. I got to try the different meats that a man was cooking. The flavors were beyond my wildest imaginations. Oh, father and the people. I saw so many in one place and even met some that looked about my age….” As I pause to take a deep breath. My father laughs at my joy. “Slow down, Io. I want to keep up with listening to your first adventure on your own. He chastised.

“Sorry father. It is just with experiencing so much in so little time I was trying to get to the best part of my day. I met someone. I met a boy. Draco is his name” I tell him.

“Ah. So that would be the reason for that smile I saw on your face. So, tell me of this young Draco. Was he a gentleman in his treatment of you?” He asks.

“Yes father. He was. He even walked me home so that I may make it here before the last ray of sun left the sky. We agreed to meet again in two days’ time after my work of course. He will arrive around midday which is when his studies end” I answer.

“I am glad that you met someone my daughter, but before you meet this young boy again. I am afraid that we must have a conversation you may not like “he insists. I nod my head in reply so that he may continue.

“You are of the age when many of our women choose to start a family of their own. That is something that you must be prepared for if this boy begins courting you. As per tradition this would mean that a routine is established of when you meet. Our men use gifts as a fashionable way of courting. Gifts that would mean something more than they seem because they are tendered to your likes and desires” I nod my head for him to continue as I blush at what Draco’s ideas of gifts will be. “However, I am afraid that I must warn you of intentions of ill will. Before you accept the gifts make sure that the intentions of this boy are to do with your heart and not your body. I would not want to see you get hurt or have your reputation ruined if you soiled yourself before a pronouncement of marriage. Do you understand what I am telling you? He iterates.

“Yes father. I do understand. I do not think Draco has any intentions of hurting me. He seems so honest and kind” I relay.

“Yes, my dear. At the moment he may seem that way, but betrayal is not a thing of the past. Take heed of my warning and make sure his intentions are pure before you accept any promises. “He says.

I nod my head so that he knows I hear him. With thoughts of Draco’s intentions on my mind, I head to my room to ready for bed.

By the time the full conversation has replayed in my head I have made it to our hut. After I have bathed, I stand in my room in front of my wardrobe contemplating what I want to wear. I have but five choices and the decision seem so difficult today. The thought of wearing one of my five robes has me contemplating my wardrobe in a whole new way. Do I wear the red that makes my pale skin seem less pale? Or the brown that father says looks great with my eyes? I know I should not wear the white that is worn for special occasions. I decide to go with the green. Father says it was mothers favorite color and having her blessing with yesterday’s kimono brought me such joy. I rush to change into it as I know I am running out of time. As I search my room for something to contain my hair, I hear a knock at the door to our hut.

“Just a moment” I shout. I abandon my search for something to put my hair in and rush to put my geta back on my feet. As I push the door open with a swoosh it swings wide and bangs into Draco’s knee as he lets out a grunt. As he walks around to try to relieve the pain, I rush to him.

“I am so sorry. I did not mean to open the door that fast. I was just rushing because I couldn’t a wait to see you” I rush to say as I place my hand on his arm.

When he snaps his head up and smiles at me. I blush in embarrassment at the realization of what I said aloud. I feel my fingers twitch on the blue silk of his robe at that look. His robe is the rich color similar to that of crushed elderberries. Today his hair seems to be in a disarray of yesterday’s neat look as if it has been wind-blown. If I did not know better, I would say that it looks as if he might of ran to my home.

“We have to stop ending up in such close proximity every time we meet. I don’t know how much more abuse my shins can take from the girl I like.” He muses. His admission causes me to blush further.

“I think I may like you too, Draco” I admit with a smile.

He beams at me pridefully. He is glad at my admission of affection.

“How’s your leg”? I ask with curiosity.

“With your admission the pain has all but disappeared” he says. “What would like to do today?” He questions me.

“Well, since this is your first time in my village, I thought I might show you around as I have been to yours” I offer.

“That sounds amazing, I thought of the many questions I wanted to ask you on my days without you” he admits.

As I beckon him by tugging at his arm, I realize that I had never removed my hand. I enjoy the tightness of his flesh with a soft squeeze as I tug him along. As we walk around to the side of my home, we walk the short path to the rest of the village.

“In our village all of the hut’s face to the outside in order to give families more privacy. There are about thirty family’s that live here. When a new match is made the entire village gets together to build a hut so newlyweds can focus on the growth of their families” I tell him as we pass a half-built home. “In the center of our village you can see that there are many tables and benches that we move to fit our celebrations. We often decorate the area and roast our fish in the chiminea which is the fire pit in the ground” I say as I direct him to the pit.

“Does your village have many celebrations” he inquires.

“Majority of the things we celebrate have to do with family. Like the blessing of a child or the marriage of our people. This is also the place where we celebrate the passing of someone in our village to honor their life” I explain.

As we move along, I turn to take him to the paddy fields so that he may see where I spend my days. As we walk, I can no longer hide my curiosity of his thoughts for the future. “Do you have any thoughts of marriage or of children of your own” I inquire as I meet his gaze as we walk. I see his face lose all color as he avoids my curious gaze. It almost looks like the very thought of the subject has made him ill. “My apologies, you do not have to answer that question if it brings you discomfort” I say with dismay.

He clears his throat and stops walking. As I look back at his face, I am glad to see that his color has started to return. “It is not that I find the thought discomforting. It is just…. well in my village for someone of my station, it is quite normal for my bride to be arranged for me” he seems to gather his thoughts for a moment before continuing “there are many in my village who do not marry for love. To them it is more important to marry for gain and heirs” he states.

I blanch at the idea. “That seems so awful. What would be the point to marry someone you do not know; that you do not love. I would imagine it would cause many to be miserable.” I insist.

As he begins walking again, I can see he is thinking. As he looks at me, he opens his mouth to speak but instead he shakes his head and looks ahead in the path. “What part of your village are you showing me now” he asks.

A part of me wonders what he was going to say. With the way he looked so deep in thought I feel it is better not to question so I continue on the tour of my village. “Just wait one moment and you will see” I tell him. As we walk a few more feet. The paddy fields come into view. When we can see all the rows in the field my father lifts his head as if sensing my presence. His eyes flicker briefly to my side looking at Draco before he waves and beckons us over. “These are the fields that I and my father work. It looks as if he wants to meet you now” I say as I gage his reaction. I see him take a gulp. He nods his head and gestures in the direction of my father as if telling me to lead the way. As we walk the short distance, I notice Draco has begun fiddling with his fingers in nervousness.

I think it may be too soon for them to meet. The warning my father gave me two days ago is a constant reminder in my head. I look forward to seeing what my father thinks. I have never had to seek his approval before. As we walk through a neat town in the field to where my father waits many of the workers stop to stare at Draco. As we near my father I see him mash his lips together and his eyes widen as if he recognizes Draco. This time it is me who gulps because the expression on my father’s face almost resembles anger.

When we are in front of my father Draco takes a deep bow in respect and introduces himself. “I am Draco son of Sato-San and Madame Kawa sir; it is a great honor to meet you” he says as he greets my father. He stays in that bended position with his eyes to the ground waiting for my father to reply. This is the sign of deep respect for our people.

“You may rise young man; I know who you are” my father almost sneers. He gives me a look that I do not quite understand. He gives Draco a low bow and introduces himself “Homura” he points to his chest as he says. “Might I ask what someone of your station is doing in our village on this fine day” My father inquires.

I see Draco grind his teeth together at my father’s question before he says, “I am here to get to know your daughter sir and to see your village.” My father hums in reply and looks around the field. As I follow the path of his gaze, I notice that the others have all paused in their work. They whisper amongst themselves with wide eyes as they all look at Draco.

With a grim smile, my father says “Well, I do hope you enjoy what you see. I must still tend to my section of the grounds before sunset” he says dismissively. “I will see you at home at sunset Io. He reminds me.

“Yes father” I reply.

We continue our walk through the fields as others go back to work while sneaking glances in our direction as we pass them. Draco nods at many of them.

When we are finally out of ear shot of the others, I cannot help but to ask what all the staring was about. Draco seems to have gone quietly into his thoughts. “Why did my people stare at you like so? Do you know?” I ask.

“Yes” he says with a sigh. “You don’t know who my father is, do you?” he inquires. When I shake my head. I see his shoulders sag a bit as if under a heavy weight. “My father Sato-San is an old army general. I told you that my family were one of the first to settle here in our village. What I did not mention is that we were the first. We own most of the land in our village as well as most of the shops. “he says this with disdain. “We are the prominent family of my village.”

“Oh” I say as I ponder what he says. “Come on, we are almost to the place I want to show you next.” I say as I quicken my steps. He stops in his tracks and just stares at me. “What” I ask. I look around in wonder to why he has stopped.

“You have no more questions about what I said or favors to ask” he blurts with a note of shock in his voice.

“No, what need would I have of a favor from you” I say.

He shakes his head as if trying to clear it. He looks at me with astonishment as if he does not understand what I said. So, I tilt my head to the side in silent question.

“I... uh…well…. wow” he blushes. “Normally when I tell people who I am, or they find out I get a different response from them. You are quite the mystery Io” he muses with a smile. As he walks to my position on the path, he inclines his head.

“What would a normal response have been” I ask.

“The girls in my village would make a suggestion of courting them or talk about something they wanted they knew I could get” he says with dismay.

“Well, there is nothing that I need. My father and I make enough coin in our work to survive. I am quite grateful for what I have” I huff. The mere thought of someone using Draco causes my ears to turn red in anger.

“I am sorry to have thought you would treat me differently because of my station. I did not mean to offend” he says sincerely.

“Oh Draco, you did not offend. I just found it irritating that you have been treated in such a way. People are more than what they have” I say. He reaches out to grab my hand as we continue walking. As he weaves his fingers through mine, he gives me a quiet thank you. His hand is warm and comforting as it surrounds mine. His touch allows me to easily for left my anger.

“Why are you thanking me” I ask as I pull us to a stop in front of my mother’s cave.

“For being an amazing person” he says simply. I turn toward the cave to hide my blush at his words.

“This cave is my favorite place to be alone.” I tug him toward the entrance. Regretfully I let go of his hand so that I can light the lantern to see. As I hang it back on its post he gravitates toward the back of the cave to the pile of parchments on the floor. As he bends down to pick them up, I slide past him and take a seat on the blankets I have here. I watch him as he thumbs through my favorite parchments. They are all stories and poems of love. When I think of the personal collection I have I blush. He must think I am a silky young girl by my choices. When he is done glancing at my collection, he looks around at the other items I have I. The room with curiosity.

“What is it about this cave that you enjoy so much “he asks while coming to sit next me after looking his fill.

“It is the only place where I can feel a true connection to my mother” I reply sadly. “This is where I was born.”

He tilts his head to the side in silent question. So, I tell him the story of my birth. How I came into this world screaming. The joy of my parents felt at having a family again. How my father loved my mother and she him. I tell him of how she did not make it. Of what he saw when the blossoms bloomed in her farewell. As I tell the story I do not realize that silent tears have streaked down my cheeks. It is the first time I have shared this story with another.

With a finger Draco slowly leans forward to brush my hair back so it sweeps behind my ear. My breath catches. When he places both hands on my cheeks to use his thumbs to wipe my tears, the breath that I had been holding comes out as I part my lips and stare into his eyes. My pulse speeds as his eyes drift to my lips. I look at his lips and my mouth suddenly waters. My lips seem so dry in this moment underneath his warm gaze, so I swipe my tongue across them.

Draco groans aloud and closes the distance between our mouths as his large hands cradle my face delicately. As his lips press into mine, I sigh at their softness. He tilts his head to the side, and I feel his lips slightly open to rub against mine. I gasp as his tongue reaches out to touch against mine. As I groan his hands slide down to clasp my neck as he pulls me closer. My hand moves from my lap to grasp at the front of his robe. My body heats and as my tongue tentatively touches his in return, he breaks the kiss with a pop, and I feel him move away. As I open my eyes which I did not know had closed I cannot help but to bite my bottom lip.