Author's notes: Hi everyone!Sorry I haven't updated my regular stories in a while - the last couple of months were really rough in terms of school and work! Although I haven't updated, I did keep on writing. The manga chapters of Chihayafuru were so heart wrenching that I had to write, even if they were just short stories and poems. The ideas kept on whirling in my mind, like cherry blossom petals, and refused to settle until I put them down in pen and paper. These were all written in a hurry, so it's not my best work, but I hope you'll enjoy them :) Any future Chihayafuru drabbles that I write will also be posted here.

The title of this drabble series was inspired by Poem #33, and the series is dedicated to my friend Kat chan (CalamityKat) because most of them were inspired by her prompts.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in Chihayafuru. Contains spoilers from the manga.

Timeline: After Chapter 138: Taichi's departure from the club

…

Rubbing her eyes, Chihaya looked around the train to find something that would keep her awake. Training the freshmen in her karuta club had been exhausting, and the rhythmic motion of the train was lulling her to sleep. She sighed. There was practically no one on the train! How was she to amuse herself? She briefly wondered why the train ride back from school had felt so empty lately. Was it always like this? She smiled to herself. She wouldn't know, because usually by the time the train pulled out of the station, she was already asleep on Taichi's shoulder.

"Taichi..." Just the thought of his presence beside her felt so comforting. What was is about Taichi that always made her feel so at peace? Was it his calm and collected behavior? Or perhaps it was because she trusted him completely. He was after all the boy who had been by her side all this time…

Chihaya's thoughts began to drift as she felt slumber weighing down on her eyelids. "I'll nap just for a few minutes," she thought, "Surely I won't miss my stop..."

"Baka! How many times have I told you to not sleep on the train when you're by yourself!"

Chihaya bolted upright at the sound of that voice! "Taaaichi! You're here! But, wait! When did you get here? I didn't see you."

Wordlessly Taichi sat down beside her, and made a gesture to put her head on his shoulders. Chihaya hesitated. Something felt wrong. But she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was. And what about the confession? Were they okay now? Was he coming back to the club? "Taichi, I -"

"Don't worry about missing your stop, sleepyhead!" Taichi smiled. "I'm here now."

"I'm here now." As those words resounded within Chihaya, she could feel her uncertainties being swept away like a tidal wave. What was she hesitating for? Taichi was there! He was sitting right there! Laying her head in his shoulder, she smiled and thought how the world was how it should have always been...

"RINNNNNG RINNNNNG RIIIIIINNNG!"

The sound of the train door opening jerked Chihaya awake. "Taichi, is this our -"

The words vanished in her mouth as she saw the empty space beside her. She looked around confused. Was I – was I just dreaming? As realization hit Chihaya, she felt the tears stinging her eyes. "Don't cry! Don't cry!" she chided herself. "At least it was a good dream, and not a nightmare."

When the tears finally came, Chihaya wondered who she was trying to fool. Having a perfect dream in a world that was no longer perfect hurt far more than any pain a nightmare could bring. Chihaya didn't think she'd dare to dream again...

…

Author's notes: Sorry, that this is such a sad piece. I wrote it right after Taichi left Misuzawa, and I saw an image on tumblr where Taichi and Chihaya were sleeping on the train. It totally broke my heart! Suetsugu san really knows how to tug our heart strings. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed! Please rate and review if you did.