The Traveler and The Maiden

.: Prologue: The Destined Two People

Once, there was a traveler who loved to travel around the world, not settling on one certain place, he continued to discover the hidden mysteries of life. His philosophy which was; 'Enjoy your life to its extent while you still have it' became the only thought in his mind. He traveled across the sea, across the dessert, thinking of enjoying his life to its extent, he had made several lovers in every city he had passed by as if he was like a butterfly that fled freely and wandered on different kinds of flowers. But It was a sin he had made, for some of the women he had seduced had already their own husbands.

But still, even by doing this, every other day passed boringly for him.

"Now what..?" he mumbled and sighed.

"Next destination is..." he had arrived in another city after walking a few days from the village he was in. "here huh." lowering his voice, he gazed at the place. It was.. crowded. People were forming lines like ants just to buy one piece of bun, children were running around, yelling and laughing loudly as though tomorrow, the sun would never rise for them, sellers were shouting loudly to advertise their products, and then, one lady running hurriedly passed by him as some of civilians were running after her.

"huh?" he stared blankly at the space for a moment, trying to analyze in his mind what he just saw. Repeating the scene in his head, 'A lady running hurriedly passed by me.. some civilians were after her..' he thought deeply and continued, "Doesn't that mean she's in danger?" and before he realized it, he already ran and followed them. While running and looking for their lost figures, he caught a glimpse of them turning at the right corner of the long street, he rushed to follow and when he caught up to them, there he saw them forcing the lady to give them the small purse she was holding firmly. One of them was holding her wrist roughly that it seemed like at just one twist, it would be broken. Something snapped at the back of his mind, 'ladies aren't supposed to be treated in such a rough manner!' he thought. Yes, maybe he treated ladies nothing more than amusement to pass his time but he never hit neither treated them roughly. To be short, he was a gentleman. Or so he thought.

Not long after, he stepped in with heavy footsteps leaving a mark at the mud in the ground. "What are you doing to the lady?" he glared at them as he stated coldly.

The lady flinched, shocked with his demanding voice, and when she looked up to see the person who talked, to her surprise, he was a beautifully built up man, sun glistening upon him made his untied waist length black hair shined like the finest black leather coat anyone would see. His eyebrows indicating manliness, eyes with long eyelashes but firm, well-formed nose and lips.. forming a smirk.

She gasped. She actually forgot what situation she was in because of the astonishing man standing before them.

"You can't be called a man if you do such things to a lady." He quickly moved and let his long legs kicked the man holding the lady's wrist, as he turned swiftly to the other man, hitting his face with his elbow. The two fell on the ground groaning in pain while the other three shivered.

"W-wait! We're not bad, we.. we were just playing around!" The three helped their other two comrades to stand up as they rushed and ran away from the man and the lady.

"..You have long boots, and a cape. You are not a person of this city," the lady spoke first.

"Uh.." The man was confused by her statement. 'She's actually.. saying those things in this kind of situation? Weird woman,' He thought.

"Well, yes. I'm only a traveler who happened to pass by here after all," he replied nonetheless.

"Oh, that explains it," she said then gave him a warm smile. "Thank you."

"..No problem." He grinned. I take that back, she isn't weird. She's cute and especially when she smiles. "Anyway, are you alright miss?"

"Yes."

"I see. That's good."

"Thank you again," the lady said. Suddenly but gently, the man took her hand to his and planted a kiss on the back of her hand. She blinked her eyes few times, clearly confused by the man's actions.

"Ehm.." She tried to say something but words got stuck in her throat.

"Well then, my lady. I must go now," the man said after he let go of her hand.

"Ah..Wait! Don't you.. maybe, want to come by to my house? I'll treat you a meal, as a thanks for saving me." She smiled warmly.

"Uh, well.." He was having second thought.

"What's your name by the way?" she asked suddenly.

"Eh? I'm Ueto Kanda. And yours, miss?"

"Yumeko."

"What a beautiful name you have, my lady."

"Thank you. So, are you going to accept my offer?"

"Do I, have any other choice?"

Yumeko giggled and said, "No." Ueto chuckled at her. She got an attitude. I like that.. Maybe staying at this village longer than usual won't do any harm.

- - -

The two of them has got to know each other, and as days passed by, it became a regular routine for Ueto to visit Yumeko in her house where she lived alone.

Leaving the city didn't cross his mind anymore and he had been staying there longer than he actually thought he would at first. He found his current standing of life way too fun to abandon. Everyday talking with the villagers, going to the bars with the best of foods, selling the precious items he had collected during his travel and seeing that lady. That lady... Little did he know, he was already falling for her.

Same goes for Yumeko, she wished to be always with him. She hoped that he wouldn't leave. She had found the warmth in him that she could never find in someone else.

Not so long, Ueto realized his feelings for her deepened and that this time, it was different. Not only for his own enjoyment for the first time, but for her happiness that he'd do anything. To risk anything, just for one mere young lady.

Ueto, who was sitting with his right leg bent up and left leg laid flatly on a grass field near the bar he always went to, chuckled. He could remember the events that had happened between him and that lady. As wind blew, messing his untied long black hair, he closed his eyes and enjoyed the tranquility of the place while recalling their moments.

"Ueto! Don't chase the dog, you're scaring it," Yumeko rolled her eyes as she looked away from him. Pretending that she only cared for the dog when she actually wished she was that dog. Jealousy...

"Hey, but that dog took my bread," Ueto crossed his arms over his chest, unknowingly to him what Yumeko was honestly thinking.

Yumeko then turned to look at him. Even when he's pouting, she could swear she'd do anything to see that kind of face again and again. He looked incredibly cute. Maybe it's weird to say cute but he actually was.

She then giggled making Ueto wonder what she was giggling for. Ueto pouted even more but all went gone when she took his hand and held it firmly. She pulled him behind her as they walked downtown.

"Can't be helped, I'll treat you better food. I know a good bar." Yumeko smiled widely at him which made his heart skipped a bit. 'huh?' he was new to the feeling. He didn't even know that his heart could skip a bit whenever he's with.. her.

'That was the first time we held hands together, although it was unconsciously. That was how Iknew the bar too,' Ueto thought inwardly as he still had his eyelids closed. Recalling more of their moments.

Ueto was sound asleep in his bed. He resided at the inn near Yumeko's house. She offered him to reside on her house since she was alone, and she thought it would be better to have companion but he refused. For some unknown reason, his face flushed when he thought of living together with her back that time. Again, new feelings to him.

He opened his eyes, the darkness of the room invaded his sight. He didn't know why but he suddenly felt like uncomfortable. He had to see Yumeko. That was the only thought that crossed his mind. And so he stood up quickly not caring that he was only wearing a plain white shirt with short sleeves and short pants until below his knee. That was the usual cloth the people in his hometown would wear when it's hot. He was only a seven-year-old child back then but he could remember.

He quietly opened the door of his room and stepped outside. Walking very carefully not to wake up the others, he left for the backdoor of the inn. Then when he finally managed to go out, he quickly headed towards Yumeko's house. Only few blocks separated them although he had second thought if he should really pay her a visit, when it was already midnight. She might misunderstand; was what he thought. But his feet wouldn't let him go back to his room now.

On the other hand, Yumeko was clutching the white sheets of her bed tightly. It was a dream. A nightmare that had always haunted her. She was being chased by some unknown creatures with scary miens. She was already sweating with her eyes shut firmly. One of the creatures managed to take hold of her shoulder, gripping it tight that she felt like it would rip apart. She wanted to call out to someone, to 'him'.. It was then that suddenly, someone was shaking her lightly. Someone was trying to bring her back to reality, from her nightmare. And when she slowly opened her eyes, tears welling on her eyes, she saw the man she was just trying to call. Ueto...

He panicked when Yumeko didn't answer him knocking on the door. Then he heard her scream. Not that loud but enough for his sharp ears to hear. He couldn't have any choice, so he climbed up the tree near her house and jumped onto her small balcony on second floor. There, he saw her. In a poor state, crying. And before he thought of it, he already rushed to her bed and shook her shoulders lightly hoping that she'd wake up. But he couldn't even more believe it. Before he reacted, Yumeko already had her arms wrapped around his neck. She was crying silently. It was a good decision to see her after all. She seemed to have had this bad dream. He needed to comfort her, no, he 'wanted' to. And so he wrapped his arms around her waist, securing her, letting her feel that she wasn't alone anymore. So was he..

'And that was the first time we embraced.. She felt good in my arms..' He gulped at the thought. 'Now I am a pervert.' He sighed but soon replaced with a smile on his face. His first genuine smile for a woman..

"Ah.. All this time, I was only enjoying myself. I thought, that was what it meant to be fun.. But I was wrong... To be able to make your love one happy is the true happiness you'd find in yourself, huh?" he thought aloud. It wasn't like him at all to think such thing but love could change a lot of things, right? As people say, love can move a mountain. He then looked up at the blue sky with the white cotton clouds scattered above.

After few days, he decided to go to Yumeko's house. He already prepared himselfto tell her that he loves her and ask if they can be together. But harder than he expected, when he stopped in front of the door of Yumeko's house, he found himself stiffened like a stone and beads of sweat started to drop from his forehead down his cheeks, way until his jawline.

He was too nervous to face her. Too nervous to face a girl for the first time. What happened to the cool me?! This is so uncool.. But he wouldn't let this chance slip, and so he tried moving his right hand and brought it up to knock on the door when suddenly, it opened and there he saw the young lady who captured his heart, standing in front of him.

"Ehh? Ueto..?" She was a clueless little girl...

"Uh....Actually.."

"Hm?"

"Well, you see.."

"What? What I see? Oh never mind, come in."

"Al..Alright," He stuttered. He actually stuttered. 'Get a hold of yourself, Ueto!' He scolded himself.

Yumeko noticed his strange behavior but nevertheless, she smiled gently and that made his heart beat fast. At first, he didn't know what it means to have his heart beat fast whenever he's with the girl, but now he knew. He fell for her. That was why.

"What's wrong..?" Yumeko realized that Ueto was feeling uncomfortable, and he..sweat a lot?

"Ah..! Actually," he unintentionally yelled which startled Yumeko and so she widened her eyes a bit, blinking it few times, staring at him.

"...ah...eh... ?"

"I.. I LOVE YOUR HOUSE!" He face palmed mentally. What a failure, damn it. "I mean.. I LOVE YOU!" He gathered all his courage just to say those three words and even practiced to say it properly but then when he said it, he failed. Who would say 'I love your house' to the girl you love? And then correct it by yelling it? Yes, he shouted it at her. Damn, the very most uncool moment of his life. Why was it that when he was with that lady, he seemed to experienced lots of first.

Ueto had the mixed emotions. He was afraid that she might reject him, but he was more afraid that they might lose the least relationship they had; friendship. But he was quite relieved to finally be able to say his feelings to her although it didn't turn out very well. And one part of him wanted her to say "I love you, too" to him.

Yumeko was dazing off. She was spacing out in the air, Ueto was becoming worried every seconds that pass, but he remained silent and looked down to see the floor, a tint of red color on his cheeks.

'Ueto stuttered.. He was nervous.. He actually lost his coolness for a moment there, but.. he said..' Yumeko thought to herself, cheeks turning into bright red before she continued, "I...I.... I..love y-you..too." Yumeko gulped. Her heart beat became faster, she was blushing so hard now, she could feel it. 'oh my God, oh my God, I'm ..going to faint,' she thought inwardly.

'huh..just now, I thought I heard her say 'I love you too' to me..' He suddenly snapped back up and looked at her. She was wearing that smile that only seemed to him like an angel, then her cheeks were flushed red, the same as him. He could feel like jumping on joy as she repeated the words he wanted to hear from her. "I..love you too, Ueto."

Her face was flushed, cheeks were brightly red, looking at the side embarrassingly while Ueto stared at her blankly, shocked that he didn't expect her to have any feelings for him since she had always acted normal towards him. But, who cares about that? She loves him too, and it was the best day of his life!

Ueto chuckled. Then he walked close to her. She was surprised and looked up at him only to see his smile very genuine.. She blushed even more knowing that she had made him give that smile, that beautiful smile. But she hated it that he was too tall, she was only until his shoulder.

Soon, Ueto brought his hands to cup her cheeks, staring intently at her and without asking her permission, he pulled her closer to him and hugged her. Arms around her slender waist while Yumeko's hands were against his chest. She could feel his heart beating rapidly against her palm and she smiled. As she was about to lean on him, he pulled off and brushed her cheeks with the back of his hand, making sure if she would let him do what was on his mind. And since she didn't push him away, he let himself felt relieved as he pulled her closer leaving his hand on her waist and other hand cupping her cheeks gently.

Their faces were inches close, Yumeko could really swear, her heart beat was faster than him. Then Ueto planted a kiss over her head, on her forehead, on her cheek and then soon his own lips descended upon her soft lips. Not so long, she kissed him back, putting her arms around his neck. Ueto felt too delighted that he unintentionally deepened their kiss.

The two of them shared one of the happiest day they could ever have.

- - -

Four years later, Yumeko and Ueto was still having the finest of their days. But the actual happiest moment they probably ever had was when Yumeko found out that she was pregnant and told Ueto about it.

But three months had passed, both of them could still have been the happiest couple until one day, someone attacked Ueto, dagger was deeply dug on the flesh of his back, blood spurting out. He was killed by an unknown man while he was heading his way to their home from the flee market.

This news soon reached Yumeko, but too sudden and unbelievable for her, she lost her consciousness. The people who came to her house to comfort her panicked and called a healer. She was alright, the baby was okay. Everything would be alright...

Yumeko opened her eyes but couldn't feel anything as tears started to flow down her cheeks. If it was a bad dream, she wanted to wake up soon, to see Ueto coming back to their house with his chuckles, teasing, to hold him and to be held by him. But.. the very person who would come to wake her up from nightmares was gone.. No one would wake her up from her nightmare anymore. He.. was gone.

"Ueto.." She mumbled and burst out into tears, holding her stomach. "On..your-your b-behalf.. I pro..promise, o-our child..will live.. He will be..a g-good son. For you and for this c-child inside my womb.. I'll be s-strong.. Ueto.... I love you..so much..." she said between her sobs.

- - -

Happy days might have ended for Yumeko and Ueto but six months had passed quickly. She gave birth to their child, and new happiness found its way for her. It was a boy, the fruit of their love. She loved the child with all of her heart. As much as he loved Ueto, more than herself. His name? She gave him the name of kindness which she promised Ueto to build their children up, Yuu.

And time sure flied quickly, the boy turned fourteen already.

"Yuu, do you want to know what your father was like?" Yumeko asked Yuu as she smiled at him patting his head while sitting at the rocking chair. He nodded fervently and said, "all." Yumeko giggled at his statement. Their son grew up strong, looking alot like his father but with dark blue hair, mixed of Ueto's black hair and Yumeko's navy blue hair. His curiousness about his father was always amusing to Yumeko.

She then started to tell him the tale of her and Ueto's story long way ago, filling in the memories she had always treasured.. and always will.