It has been a year,
But somehow he knows the way.
He follows the dawn.
Twilight wanes.
Dusky skies make room.
Soon... Sunrise.
Spicy inscence burns.
Buddah. Smiling from his shrine.
The world is stirring.
Exquisite.
Waking in pure bliss.
Next to her.
A walking dreamer.
He searches his memory,
and hears her soft sighs.
His eyes open.
The sun is rising.
Ohiayo.
The sound of laughter.
Working folk begin the day,
though it's still early.
He feels her.
The breeze through his hair.
Warm wet kiss.
The scent of jasmine.
Morning flowers collect dew.
Lovers afterglow.
Children laugh.
They play around him,
the Ronin.
A garden nearby,
an inn - courts hidden from view.
A girl points the way.
Like before...
In Hamamatsu,
she awaits.
The sun is ready.
He hears a woman singing.
A break in the brush...
Sunlight pours.
His beloved Shino,
bathed in Love.
She looks up, suprised.
Song halting; the tears well up.
Then she smiles for him.
He gazes at her.
Longing to reach out and touch...
"Please, don't stop singing."
"Jin..."
Shino finishes her song, eyes alight and locked with his... over the seeming chasm of the pond and flowers that separate them. Through the ramshackle fence too reminiscent of another prison, though far more benign.
"Jin... thank you so much..."
"Ms. Shino..."
"Goodbye Jin. I hope to meet you someday."
He nods. "I will be waiting for you."
Smile sweet.
Turn and face the day.
Lovers sigh.
"Well my unagi stand friend... Will this rain ever stop?"
"I hope that the rain never stops..."