Chapter 1
"I awoke in a strange place. The lights, buzzing sounds, and streets had faded away. This was not Tokyo, not the place I grew up in.
Of course, I was bewildered that I was in such a place. All I could see was grassy hills and rice-paper houses dotting the countryside. There weren't any telephone poles or gas stations.
I realized my clothes were now ripped and were tattered. My new Gucci bag was ruined. I felt horrible and my head was throbbing with pain.
Just then, a middle aged woman, wearing a kimono, walked past me. Then she did something I didn't expect. She extended her arm to help me up off the jade colored grass.
"Young lady, what were you doing down there and why are your clothes so filthy" she said in Japanese?
All I could manage to say was, "I don't know, but thank you," in a timid voice.
She took me to her home as if I was one of her daughters. Then she fed me and gave me a fresh kimono. It was beautiful, with little red and white flowers and a pink background, but nothing like what I've ever worn. Those types of clothes are only worn for special occasions in modern Japan.
The lady was a curious little woman. She had black hair fading into gray strands. And still, she was youthful. She must have been about forty years old.
She took me in and cared for me like I was her own. I was very grateful to her and soon forgot that I was not from her time. I did not know where or when I was, but I didn't think it mattered. The years passed by and the woman died while picking mushrooms. A wild animal must have gotten to her, because all I found was her jade hair comb and a lock of her gray and black hair. I was wild with fury and grief.
And this is how you found me. What did you say your name was again?"
"I awoke in a strange place. The lights, buzzing sounds, and streets had faded away. This was not Tokyo, not the place I grew up in.
Of course, I was bewildered that I was in such a place. All I could see was grassy hills and rice-paper houses dotting the countryside. There weren't any telephone poles or gas stations.
I realized my clothes were now ripped and were tattered. My new Gucci bag was ruined. I felt horrible and my head was throbbing with pain.
Just then, a middle aged woman, wearing a kimono, walked past me. Then she did something I didn't expect. She extended her arm to help me up off the jade colored grass.
"Young lady, what were you doing down there and why are your clothes so filthy" she said in Japanese?
All I could manage to say was, "I don't know, but thank you," in a timid voice.
She took me to her home as if I was one of her daughters. Then she fed me and gave me a fresh kimono. It was beautiful, with little red and white flowers and a pink background, but nothing like what I've ever worn. Those types of clothes are only worn for special occasions in modern Japan.
The lady was a curious little woman. She had black hair fading into gray strands. And still, she was youthful. She must have been about forty years old.
She took me in and cared for me like I was her own. I was very grateful to her and soon forgot that I was not from her time. I did not know where or when I was, but I didn't think it mattered. The years passed by and the woman died while picking mushrooms. A wild animal must have gotten to her, because all I found was her jade hair comb and a lock of her gray and black hair. I was wild with fury and grief.
And this is how you found me. What did you say your name was again?"