Sketches & Scribbles

It was so long ago that you couldn’t quite pinpoint the year, but your family had rented a summer house to get away from the routines of everyday life.

Boredom soon set in, away from all your friends and the amenities of home. Dust motes danced slowly through the rays of sun coming through the windows. The only sound in the air was the distant hum of a lawnmower. The heat had slowed time to a standstill. In a bid to beat the boredom, or at least get some air, you headed out to the woods behind the house. They were just large enough for an adventure, and just small enough that if you got lost, you wouldn’t be lost for long.

Under the canopy, the world outside fell away. A thousand shades of green, broken only by small cracks of sunlight between the foliage. The gentle trickle of water drew you to a little stream that wound its way between the trees.

On a rock by the edge of the stream, not too far from where you were, sat a boy. Hearing your approach, he turned to you. Wild silvery hair framed a narrow, almost fox-like face. "There you are." His voice was warm, the tone casual. As if you being here was the most natural thing in the world.

You looked over your shoulder, to see if the strange boy was talking to someone else, but there were only the two of you. “I think you’re mistaking me for someone else--”

“Nope, I knew you were coming. I’ve been waiting ages for you. You just arrived at the yellow house yesterday, right?”

“How would you know that?” Maybe he knew the owners of the house?

“I know many things.” He smiled, and held out his hand. “I’m Mitsuhide.”

From that day on, you became fast friends. Mitsuhide often appeared from seemingly nowhere, like a ghost. He only came when you were alone, soundlessly, or with the quiet tinkle of bells. Always in the forest.

You invited him to come for ice cream, or to go meet your family, or go exploring different parts of the town, but he always refused.

You told your family about him, but when you explained that he wouldn’t come by and say hi, and that he would only show himself to you, they assumed he was just an imaginary friend. Your imagination was vivid, but there was no way you could have invented an entire boy, was there? Imaginary friends weren’t supposed to be this vivid, were they?

“You’re real, aren’t you?” You asked him one day, after once again having tried to convince your family that he wasn’t just a figment of your imagination. .

“I suppose so, he shrugged.” He held out his hand, and you took it. “I couldn’t hold your hand if I was imaginary, could I?”

That made sense. His hand was warm wrapped around yours, and a strange fluttering filled your body. After that, you decided it didn’t matter what your family thought. You knew he was real, and that was all that mattered to you. He said strange things sometimes, and he would never talk about his family, or where he came from, or even why you could only meet in the forest, but he was undeniably flesh and blood. The mystery just made him more intriguing.

The two of you spent the summer bathing, running about, and talking about anything that came to mind in the moment. Being around him was so easy, and you loved every moment of it. He showed you the secrets of the forest. What plants were edible, what ones had helpful characteristics like healing, and what ones to stay clear of. He showed you how to find different animals, and you watched them together in silent awe. He even had a little fox that would sometimes follow you around. He was like no other boy you had ever met.

When the day came that you were leaving, you found him at the edge of the woods. He took your hand, and you walked for a while in silence before he stopped and gave you a hug. There was something final about the gesture. He then stepped back, and looked at you with an expression you couldn’t decipher. “When you go back, you won’t remember me.”

“I will, I promise!” You reached for his hand, but he took another step back, out of reach. How could you forget the person who had brought you so much enjoyment and excitement. Someone who, you now realised, had become one of your best friends.

He shook his head. “No, you won’t. Not until the time is right. But that’s alright.” His lips quirked into a small melancholy smile.

You opened your mouth to ask him what he meant, but before any sound could leave you, he had vanished into the woods.

That was the last you saw of him, and with no one to talk to about him, and so much happening in your life, the memory of him slowly faded into nothing and he once again became a ghost.

Back in the present, something told you that you had to go back to those woods, that there was a reason why you had remembered all this now. You weren’t sure what you were expecting, or even why you needed to go there. Memories were just memories after all. And even if Mitsuhide was real, what were the odds he would even be around that sleepy little town any more. But it was autumn, and the price of renting the old house was so low that you might as well head out for a weekend, if only just to get away from your everyday life for a bit.

The town was quiet without the holiday makers. Only a few cars passed you on the way there. Time had not been kind to the house. The owners had grown old, and so had the building, but it was dry, cosy and clean. You chose the same bedroom as you had as a child, a room stuck in time.

That night you didn’t dream.

The morning crept up, grey and misty. Looking out the window over the rim of your steaming cup, the trees loomed like quiet sentinels. The prospect of going for a walk in those woods was all of a sudden much less tempting than it had been just last night. But what were you to do? Sit and wonder all day? You shrugged on a coat and some wellies and headed out.

Just as you took the first step into the forest, the sun broke through the clouds. The woods felt like they were welcoming you back. You almost chuckled at the thought. The path, now sun-dappled and soft under your feet, wound its way towards where you had first met him.

The white slab came in to view, and your stomach dropped. It was there, an empty and silent witness to the stillness of the forest. Accompanied only by your disappointment, you advanced. Inexplicably pulled towards it even now.

The wind rustled through the leaves, and you could swear you heard the faint chime of bells. It must be your imagination, conjuring up the faint sounds of a dream, you thought to yourself. Just wishful thinking. The second time the sound came, there was no denying that it was real. Your heartbeat quickened, and when you turned around, he was there. His face had sharpened with age, and he had grown into a tall well-built man, but his silvery hair and golden eyes were unmistakeable. For a moment you wondered if this too was a dream, and you had to resist the impulse to pinch yourself. The wind picked up, sending leaves swirling around you.

He smiled, something indeterminable twinkled in his golden eyes. As he advanced towards you, it was as if the forest floor itself smoothed to let him glide effortlessly across it. As if he was a part of it, and it a part of him.

Now that you were here, standing across from him, words evaded you. His presence felt the same, even after all the years that had passed. All doubts you previously had about coming here evaporated like dew in the sunlight.

Hi Kimi, I was your gift for the event! I had so much fun with this! I've always wanted to do a Hanahaki AU so when I saw it in your S-tier ranks, I knew I had to go for it.

She had been locked in the castle dungeons until Sariel appeared with the keys in his hand Now that the king was dead he was going to give her a second chance. She was going to behave in fear of being locked up again.

 She walked the palace grounds on a peaceful night when wind picked up blowing her hair frantically around her face. Thunder roared, and lightning illuminated the sky.

The next thing she knew she was in the Sengoku time period in Japan. How did this even happen? She wasn’t even in Japan, she was in Rhoadalite. Thankfully, she was versed in speaking various languages and could speak Japanese.

In a mess of events from that night she ended up in Nobunaga’s care as Chatelaine. 

It was beneath her she was no maid. Mostly she bossed around the other maids. 

While she was in her room a tile moved in her ceiling making her go into defensive mode.She grabbed her sword ready for an attack. It was a ninja named Sasuke who claimed he was also a time traveler in the same way she was. He had seen her before the wormhole appeared then it swallowed them both. He hoped that nothing awful had happened to her while she had been here. 

 He had been in Sengoku Japan a lot longer than she had. For some reason the wormhole had decided to release him a lot sooner than it had her. He saw her that fateful night that the wormhole opened for her. He idly waited till she was alone. He stated they had three months before they could go home.

Three months was a long time, or so she thought, but somehow within the weeks that went by one sharp tongued warlord made her heart flutter every time he came near. Never had she let herself feel for someone as she did for Ieyasu.

 Lustelle always told herself she could give herself whatever a man could. She didn’t need a lover and wasn’t interested in matters of the heart. She decided she would avoid Ieyasy as much as she could. She had no business having feelings for someone she couldn’t be with

On a night where all the warlords were gathered and food was served and alcohol was  flowing, She had hit her limit, 

“I’m going to retire for the night.” Lustelle announced as she stood to her feet.

Nobunaga nodded. “Ieyasu, walk her to her room, make sure she doesn’t stumble on the way, yeah?” 

“Yes my lord.” Ieyasu didn’t complain for once, which was out of character for him.

“You really don’t have to, I'm fine.I’m not drunk.” Lustelle said, wanting to avoid him.

“ Well here we are,” he said as they stopped outside her room

“So we are.” Lustelle said quietly.

They had been silent the whole way to her room, and now conversation was hard. Neither of them moved, seemingly rooted to the spot. 

She gazed into his eyes, and he lifted a lock of her onyx hair, and placed it behind her shoulder. His eyes were full of desire and longing.

 “Are you going to go in?” he asked, but with the heat in his eyes she couldn’t resist and leaned up and pressed her lips to his.

Ieyasu sighed into the kiss and they kissed from every angle until he slipped his tongue into her mouth. Their tongues danced together and he pulled her closer to him, so she was flush against his body. 

Breathless they pulled away from each other. He stroked her cheek with his thumb, and smiled at her, but Lustelle was conflicted, she wanted to be with Ieyasu so badly, but her time was limited. They could never have a real relationship, maybe fool around sure, but a relationship? She knew better damnit! Why did she kiss him? She was so stupid. 

He kissed her forehead. “I’ll let you settle in for the night.” He said as stroked her cheek.

She was confused, he had kissed her so fiercely. Now he’s going to just send her to bed? What the hell?! No, she wouldn’t have this.

“Come in, I’ll make some tea,” she insisted

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” He expressed, trying to be respectful.

Lustelle rolled her eyes.

“I just want to talk,” she explained.

“I suppose,” he relented.

She slid the door open and motioned for him to go in. She closed the door as she entered the room, and made tea as promised. The first sip brought a suprized expression to Ieyasu’s face.“This is good.” 

“I’m glad you like it, my little brother taught me.” A smile graced her lips as she fondly recalled Yves in the kitchen teaching her all about tea.

 Ieyasu lifted his head, suddenly interested. “I wasn’t aware you had a brother.”

“I have eight” She said, as she took a sip of tea.

 Ieyasu’s eyes grew wide. “Eight?! There’s nine of you?” 

She laughed. “I’m the oldest, conceived from a one night stand…My dad was an asshole.”

 He took another sip, and raised an eyebrow. “Was?” 

She nodded. “He passed away”

 Ieyasu immediately regretted asking, fearing he brought her pain. “I’m sorry”

 She laughed sarcastically, “Don’t be, I hated him, I’m definitely not losing sleep over it. If anything I’m glad he’s dead.” 

“I see.” Ieyasu didn’t know whether to feel releived that he hadn’t overstepped by asking about him, or feel sad that she had a bad relationship with her father.

They both sipped at their tea, and a silence fell over them.

“Ieyasu.” She finally spoke his name, breaking the awkward silence. “What is it that you want?” 

He shook his head and snickered. “You kissed me, remember so I should be the one asking you that.”

 She narrowed her eyes. “And you kissed me back.” 

 “Fine, you win.”  He set down his cup and studied her. “Isn’t it obvious? I want you Lustelle, all of you.” 

That’s what she was afraid of. 

“We can’t be together like that,” she said matter of factly

He felt conflicted. “And why not, you obviously feel the same.” 

She licked her lips.  “I do, but you see I’ll be leaving to go back to my home town.”

“You have a duty to Nobunaga now, he’s not going to let you go. You do know that don’t you?” he said bitterly.

“He won’t have a choice…I… don’t have a choice.” she confessed, her voice low.

“What do you mean you don’t have a choice? Explain Lustelle” He spoke firmly, he was baffled not knowing what was going on.

“You won‘t believe me,” she said quietly.

Now he was genuinely curious. “I’ll be the judge of that.” 

“You’ll think I’m crazy,” she added.

“I already think you’re crazy,” he took her hand in his.“Tell me.”

 She sighed nervously 

And so she told him everything from the wormhole appearing to the night when she was spat out and met all those different people. She told him about Sasuke, and how she only had three months. She held her breath as she waited for Ieyasu to say something.

“I believe you, it’d be unlike you to make up a story like that, and I remember what you were wearing the night we took you in. It’s nothing I’ve seen, even in the western countries.” 

She let out a breath in relief. He put his finger on his chin as he pondered for a moment.

“I see what you’re saying, you don’t want to get involved because you’ll be leaving. I don’t see it that way. I think we should make the most of what time we have to be together. At least we’d be able to love each other, even if it is for a short time.” He brushed her dark hair behind her ear.

“You still want to be with me even when you know it’ll bring you pain?” 

He stared into her crimson eyes with resolve and brought her hand up and kissed the back of it. “I still want to be with you.” 

She shook her head, “Ieaysu, I -“ 

He placed a finger over her lips, “let me love you.” 

She bit her lip, then finally relented. “Okay” 

“No regrets,” he said as he took her hands in his.

“ No regrets,” she repeated back to him

When that fateful day finally came, they had made love for the final time that morning. Everything seemed surreal. They had been so blissfully happy it almost felt like a sin. They spent the day together, going into town and enjoying each other’s company.

 He took her to a vendor who sold jewelry. “I want you to take something back to the future that’ll make you remember the time we spent together.” 

She put her hand on his forearm. “I want you to have something too.” They looked through the jewelry and finally she found something, she held up two stone necklaces in front of him.

“One green, one red. To match our eyes,” she suggested.

Ieyasu smiled, “I like it.” 

He purchased the necklaces and they helped each other put them on. He took the red and she took the green. Lustelle looked up at the sky and saw the sun setting. Her gaze settled on Ieyasu laced with grief. “I know, it’s time for you to go.” 

He took her hand, and they interlaced their fingers together instinctively. 

They mounted the horse and she sat behind him. Although, they were silent the whole way, she held onto him tightly placing her cheek against his back wanting to be as close to him as possible. He had his free hand interlaced with hers.

When they arrived to where she was meeting Sasuke they dismounted. Sasuke was already there, but he waited to give the lovers a moment to say goodbye. Ieyasu tied the horse to a tree, and noticed how the sky darkened and wind picked up. He turned toward Lustelle, and  traced the outlines of her jaw. Cupping the sides of her face with his hands he stroked her cheeks with his thumbs, and she put her hands around his wrists. Their lips crashed together in a needy kiss. Tears intermingled as they kissed. 

Sasuke cleared his throat. “ I don’t mean to interrupt, but it’s time to go” 

They pulled away from each other, and Lustelle combed her hand through his hair. Then she embraced him and he held her tight. When they separated she gave him a sad smile. 

“I’ll always love you, Lustelle” 

 “And I’ll always love you, Ieaysu.” She kissed him on the cheek.“I must go.” 

“I know” His voice was shaky with emotion.

“Goodbye Ieyasu. Be happy.” She turned to leave, their hands struggling to let go. Their fingers to slip away one at a time.

Sasuke walked up to them, and Ieyasu turned to him. “Make sure she makes it home safe.” 

Sasuke nodded. “of course” 

Then Sasuke held out his hand. “Ready Lustelle?” 

She nodded and put her hand in his. 

 She was leaving Ieyasu here in the past, she had to focus on the future the best she could with her brothers and son.

“We can always have another picnic, Abby. But these flowers…” Vincent let out a gentle sigh as he turned his face, his gaze softening as he looked at the field of flowers surrounding them. “These flowers won’t be here much longer. And I would like to paint my favorite flower amongst them,” he whispered, his blue eyes sparkling in the sun as he tilted his head, his eyes meeting Abby’s.

“That is,” he added, “if you will allow me this honor.”

“O-okay…” Abby replied. Filled with a warmth that did not come from the sun’s rays, she slowly uncurled her fingers from the hem of the sundress she was wearing.

“Could you tuck your hair behind your ear?” Vincent asked gently. “I don’t want a breeze to come by and your hair ends up covering your face.”

“Y-yes, of course.” She raised her hand and ran her fingers through her blonde strands, smoothing her hair before carefully tucking it behind her ear. 

“Perfect! Now stay just like that.”

“W-wait!” There was a rustle in the wind and Abby tilted her face; just as she had suspected, the thin shoulder strap of her dress had slipped down the slope of her shoulder. Her gaze was fixed on the flowers on her dress as she recalled the day Vincent purchased it for her. 

They had gone out for lunch and afterwards decided to take a stroll before returning to the mansion. There was a clothing boutique that had recently opened. Vincent loved spoiling Abby, and he especially loved seeing Abby wear more colorful outfits. 

Vincent had promised her if she didn’t like anything there that they could leave quickly. Not surprisingly, Vincent was the one to find the sundress she was wearing today. It was a bit bold in style – the skirt a bit shorter than what she usually wore, the bodice held up with thin straps tied into dainty bows – but when Vincent encouraged her to try it on, she couldn’t say no.

“H-how do I look?” Abby stepped out of the dressing room and twirled for Vincent, the flowers on the skirt twisting like the colors in a kaleidoscope. The way his blue eyes sparkled when she tried it on, Abby knew she had to have this dress.

“Leave it,” Vincent said with a smile, snapping Abby out of her reverie. “I like it.”

“O-oh...” Dropping her hand, the blush on Abby’s cheeks matched the petal pink flowers on her dress as a familiar warmth bloomed in her chest.

Not wanting to move from her pose, Abby stole quick glances of Vincent as he painted. While he was quiet for the most part, it was his expressions that were as colorful as the paints on his palette. His brows would knit together as he mixed colors, his face softening the moment he created the right shade. At times, his gaze would linger on his subject, and Abby would allow her eyes to meet his, a shared soft smile spreading across their lips. And when the rays of sunlight warmed Vincent’s face making his eyes crinkle, it was like staring at the brightest, most beautiful sunflower. 

“Vincent…” Abby shivered as a stronger breeze blew by. Her gaze flicked up towards the sky, only to find ominous grey stormclouds looming in the once clear blue sky. “I hope you’re almost done…”

Vincent paused, his paintbrush held in mid-air as an audible groan escaped his pursed lips. “I need only a few more minutes…” he softly prayed, pressing his paintbrush against the canvas.

Abby held her breath until the first flash of lightning lit up the sky like fireworks. “H-hurry, Vincent, hurry.” 

“Almost done,” Vincent replied, his voice muffled by the deep rumble of thunder in the distance. He laid a few quick brushstrokes against the canvas before lifting the brush. He looked up at the darkened sky once more, just in time to witness another flash of lightning. “This'll have to do.”

He swiftly gathered his art supplies, tucking his brushes and paints back into their picnic basket. Abby stood and helped him with the blanket they had been sitting on.

“W-what if it gets wet and ruined?” Abby asked while watching Vincent place the painting in the center of the blanket, her voice strained with worry.

“It won’t,” Vincent replied, gathering the corners and loosely tying a knot. “The carriage is not far. If I carry it carefully, it should not smear or get ruined.”

“Why won't you let me see your painting?” Abby peered curiously.

“It's a surprise,” Vincent said with a small smile. “The sooner we get home, the sooner you can see it.”