A/N Haikus is a form of Japanese poetry. There are 5 syllables in the first sentence, 7 in the second and 5 again in the last sentence.
Disclaimer: I do not own Usagi or Mariko
Haikus
Usagi took pride in his talent as a highly trained samurai. However, he was a master of the sword. He was not a master at poetry.
He sat on the wooden floor of his home, a scroll in one hand, and an ink brush in the other. A mountain of crumpled papers piled up behind him. He knitted his eyebrows together in frustration as he placed the inky bristles to a fresh piece.
Your smile beautiful
Your hair is like black water
I lose myself in
Gritting his teeth, he immediately balled the paper up and added it to the growing heap.
Your beautiful eyes
Pools of love and affection
I stare forever
Usagi hesitated as he reread the haiku. After deciding it was not the message he was trying to convey, he discarded that poem as well. Usagi placed his head in his hand and sighed.
I need the perfect words. I have to tell her what I feel. He stared across the room to the blossom that she had given him the night before and an idea was born.
Shrugging off the feel of defeat, he made one final attempt. After dipping the brush into the ink well, he turned to the last piece of paper he had. When the ink was dry, he folded up the paper. He put down the brush and picked up his swords. He left his home, but only after retrieving the delicate flower that laid upon his table.
~*~
Mariko returned from her visit with the village merchants to find an unexpected object. A large rock with a piece of paper bound with twine was in front of her door. She set down her sack of rice and noodles and unfolded the piece of paper. A smile crossed her face as she read the three lined poem.
"Oh Usagi," she whispered. Immediately she spun on her heels and ran.
~*~
With wings on her feet, Mariko dashed towards the sakura tree. She stopped the moment she spotted Usagi standing under the branches.
"You came," Usagi said.
"Of course I did," Mariko replied. How could I not? She thought as she gazed up at him. He looked so shy, scared and almost helpless. With a shake in his hand, he held out her flower.
"I kept my promise."
In three graceful strides, Mariko was in his arms.
"I knew you would," she said, softly. "I read your poem." Usagi felt his cheeks burn slightly as he looked away bashfully. "It's beautiful, Usagi," she added, as she made him make eye contact with her. "I love you too."
Usagi tightened his arms around her and he lowered his head until their foreheads touched. As Mariko melted into his warm chest, she repeated the words he had written just for her.
You are my angel
Under the blossoms I stand
I love you always
