Type: Multi-chapter story.

Genre: Romance, family, friendship, angst, tragedy, historical.

Pairing: Naru/Mai, one-sided Gene/Mai

Universe: Alternate universe

A/N: Loosely based on Sengoku period (warring states period in Japan) for the environment setting (building, clothes, etc.), but also influenced by ancient Chinese lifestyle. There is no relation whatsoever to any historical events or characters.

All Ghost Hunt characters mentioned in the story belong to Fuyumi Ono and any other right holders.

Cherry Blossom Dream

- Empathy -

"You could just be yourself. You could just be Mai."

She was dumbfounded at his words.

"What? You don't want to? It is true that being Taniyama Misaki would be more beneficial for your future. With how your father treats you, I believe that your future partner would undergone meticulous selection before they would even be allowed to meet you. Giving Taniyama-dono status, any family you're going to be married into would never dare to slight you. Knowing all these, why would you want to be Mai?" He stated calmly.

Seeing his indifferent attitude while talking about such an important and private thing to her made her furious.

"What do you even know? A noble young master who was born into and raised by one of the most prominent families in Nihon. What right do you have for saying such things to me? Do you even know what kind of life I have as a concubine-born daughter? Do you know how it feels to be trapped in your own home? Do you know how suffocating it is to be called by a name that's been given as a cover for your true self?" She half-yelled half-sobbed at him in frustration.

When she looked up at him, she saw him stood still with a faraway look. Those pair of deep blue orbs seemed to be even deeper and more mysterious than before, as if hiding hundreds and thousands of things unknown to men.

"Ano... I apologize for yelling at you. I shouldn't have vented my frustration on you," she said apologetically.

She was embarrassed and regretful for blowing up at him. Nothing he said was wrong. She simply hated it that he pointed out the facts like that. She felt like a hypocrite who wanted freedom yet afraid to let go of the comfortable life she had.

"Um..." she was still awaiting his response to her apology when he suddenly looked at her with a soft and melancholic smile.

"So you do have a temper. It is more suitable for you than the meek noble lady act," he then smirked annoyingly at her.

Any guilty feelings she had about getting angry at him had disappear instantly upon seeing his smirk.

"Meek noble lady act? I don't recall ever pretending to be a noble lady. I am a noble lady," She glared at him in annoyance.

"Oh? Is it common for a noble lady of this area to dance without reserve under the pouring rain? Quite an interesting culture indeed. It seems that I may need more time to observe and study the way of the people in this province," he flashed his false smile again.

Mai could only stared in mortification at him; her embarrassment had returned twofold upon understanding that she had been caught doing something so unladylike by this esteemed guest of her father.

'Oh my God... he saw that? But it was late at night... and I was only wearing my sleeping attire!' She thought in horror.

"You... you were watching!? How could you? You should've made your presence known! How long did you watch me? From where? Why are you even there?" She shrieked embarrassedly with a red face.

"I was simply strolling around the garden when you suddenly showed up and started to dance. I did not wish to attract any unnecessary attention by making my presence known as I reckoned that you didn't notice I was there. It's a good thing that that I decided to quietly observe though. Seeing your reaction right now, I believe it would cause quite a commotion if you were to find out that I was there that night," he replied calmly.

"Quietly observed?" She gasped.

"Oh, and I would like to suggest that next time, it would be better if you do not wander around being so thinly-dressed like that under the rain. It would be detrimental for your health," he continued shamelessly.

"YOU SHAMELESS PERVERT!" She shouted in fury.

He simply raised an eyebrow and giving her a knowing look, making her aware that, once again, she had exploded at the supposedly esteemed guest.

"You... ugh never mind. Just forget you've ever seen me, okay?" Not wanting to further embarrass herself, she finally turned around and strode away, determined to get away as far as possible from this infuriating young man.

The black-haired young man simply stared at the retreating back of the fuming girl. The corner of his lips twitched with a hint of a smile.

'It is better to get all riled up than moping around in tears. Just like I thought, she does share some similar traits with Gen,' he thought amusedly.

As to why he decided to meddle with her business... it was something inexplicable even for himself. Who knew. Maybe it was empathy. He was, after all, a concubine-born child with false identity too.

A/N: Hello everyone! It's been awhile since I've written anything in this site. I recently read an update from my longtime favorite story (The Transfer by Malindorie, check it out if you haven't. It's soo awesome!) and I kinda getting pumped up to continue writing too. So yeah, this was born, lol.

This is my first attempt at writing historical fiction. Do remember that this is strictly fiction, so please pardon any inaccuracies though I tried my best to research as much as I can. I hope you enjoyed the story and look forward to hear your thoughts about it!

Cheers,

Chrissie