This is the final end of Anju and Haru's story. Thank you very much for stumbling upon my story and sticking around long enough to read it through... enjoy!

Terribly Romantic

The morning light was bright, and the skies were refreshingly clear. Small brown finches hopped along the ground searching for treats and paid little attention to the busy shoppers. A mellow buzz of conversation accompanied the crisp air and was broken only by merchants eager for the attention of paying customers.

The market was understandably crowded for a Sunday morning. Tiny shops were set up in any square footage that could be found and people of all sorts gathered to see what was displayed. Not a soul spared a second glance for the running girl in her long white gown and clacking high heels. Bright sales posters kept every shopper's attention, except one lucky photographer who was quick enough to catch three frames of the running beauty. Blond hair trailing in loose waves and a gloved hand clutched around the skirt of her elegant dress, the girl moved swiftly through the impossible crowds with a grey scarf fluttering along in her hair. The photographer lowered his camera as she raced passed him and her scarf brushed his cheek. He'd like nothing more than to know where that young bride was running to…or away from.

Anju stopped suddenly. Her breath came out in quick bursts that fogged the air in front of her. Anju's eyes never strayed from the bobbing heads of the crowds ahead of her as she quickly searched for a specific one. She'd lost him again. She glanced down to gather her trailing skirt more properly in her hand before looking hopefully back to the crowds. The cold didn't seem to dare touch her while she was in pursuit, but her hands felt stiff nonetheless. It appeared to Anju that along with Hatsuharu's notoriously bad sense of direction, he'd also been blessed with the ability to elude any pursuer. Whether Hatsuharu was conscious of this ability or not was still up for debate.

To the right sat a street filled with bakeries—a street Anju was intimately familiar with—but there was no sign of Haru down the smaller avenue. Ahead of her stretched even more of the market, and the crowds only seemed to get bigger. Anju swallowed any uncertainties she felt and continued straight ahead. Everything was finally falling into place for her, and she wasn't going to let this small setback affect her mood. Anju moved quickly despite the thick mob of people opposing her.

Anju was in love, and she would have liked nothing more than to tell the object of her affection how she felt. Yet Haru had simply vanished. Anju stopped again under the overhang of an empty shop. She had just escaped the clutches of an unwanted marriage, had finally made the decision to take control of her own life, and suffered for that decision under her legal guardian. Anju would have liked to stop and evaluate this monumental shift in her life very much, but she couldn't. The shift wasn't finished with altering her life; there was still someone she needed to see.

Anju dropped her skirt and the hem fell brushing the bricks under her heels. She folded her gloved hands and brought them to her mouth to warm her stiff fingers as she waited for a break in the crowd. The lull of the crowd was soothing to Anju's high strung nerves. She found herself swaying to the subtle beat of the crowd and timing her entrance until a shrill laugh behind her threw her heart into her throat. Anju turned suddenly and faced two schoolgirls. They were perfectly fashioned from head to toe and appeared close to Anju's age. They spared her dress a glance before returning to their conversation and waiting their turn to join the shopping crowd. Apparently, there was not enough space in their world to pay more than a glance to Anju's out of place formal apparel.

Anju could have sworn the shop behind her was empty, and an inquisitive look through the window proved her right, so where had these girls come from? Then Anju realized what she had assumed was an alcove between buildings must have been a connective pathway to the next street. Anju was intent on investigating, but the high school girls were blocking her view and too engrossed in conversation to notice Anju trying to gain their attention.

"Yeah, I know what you mean about Kenta. But did you see that guy walking by? That really cool looking one?" One girl said giggling. The other sighed in agreement as she adjusted her patent purse on her shoulder. "I just love a man who can wear a suit that well. And he looked so serious." She squealed grinning broadly.

Anju had been prepared to join the crowds again until the high school girls' conversation convinced her to let her opening in the crowds slip away. "A cool looking guy in a suit?" Anju asked tilting her head. Had they seen Haru? Anju could imagine someone else describing Haru as cool looking, and he was definitely in a suit if he had been at the church.

"Uhh, yeah." The first girl said giving Anju a proper once-over. White formal dress, delicate gloves, and windswept blond hair. "Hey, are you a model or something?" Both girls perked considerably at the prospect. If this girl was a model, maybe she could help them get a foot in the door of the fashion industry. It was clear by their appearance that they lived, breathed, and ate fashion. Anju barely blinked as she ignored their question. She had much more pressing matters to speak with them about than fashion.

"Was he very tall?" Anju asked raising her hand above her head to estimate. The two girls looked critically at Anju's raised hand and seemed to be comparing it to their memory. They collaborated with each other momentarily before nodding to Anju. Anju's heart clenched as the description grew one more characteristic closer to Haru. "With unusually colored hair and lots of necklaces?" Anju clenched her fists hoping very deeply that they would say yes. The girls didn't think long before they agreed with Anju's description. Anju's pulse jumped drastically and her stature straightened considerably, they'd seen Haru. "How long ago?" Anju asked quickly gathering her skirt in her hand again and looking at them expectantly. She had to find him.

"Just like a minute ago." The second girl said pointing down the small pathway between the shops. Anju didn't waste a second as she raced in that direction. "Hey, wait! Is he a model too?" The girl yelled down the side street after Anju. She didn't hear Anju reply, but she turned to her friend. "They would look good together, wouldn't they? Oh, in those jackets we made last month!" She exclaimed. Her friend nodded in agreement still looking down the pathway where the girl in the wedding dress had disappeared. "I wish we'd talked to him now. Can you imagine, having those two show off our clothes?" She smiled as the fantasy took over. "That priss Sakura would have a cow, she'd be so jealous." Both burst into giggles as they joined the shopping crowd.

The pathway was narrow, and the two flanking buildings were very tall leaving Anju with little light to navigate by. The click of her heels echoed along the walls and her breath fogged and raced passed her face as she neared the next street. She slowed as she approached the arched exit, and Anju stepped into the sunlight onto a substantially less crowded street. Was Haru still near? How long was a minute to someone like those girls, because no one actually counted 60 seconds when they said they'd only take a minute. Anju glanced down her left, then the right. Actually, more often than not, when someone said they'd only be a minute they really took several real minutes. Did the girls she'd taken directions from have a misconception of the value of a minute? How far could Haru have wandered in several actual minutes?

While contemplating what the definition of a minute meant to different people, Anju caught sight of a man in a black suit standing several inches taller than the general crowd. His posture wasn't what Anju remembered, but his slow deliberate steps were familiar. And who could mistake that hair? There was no doubt it was Hatsuharu. An unbearable urge wanted Anju to push her way through the crowd and finally confront Haru, but something much more mysterious (and therefore convincing) made Anju keep her distance and just follow. Sure, Anju wanted nothing more than to see Haru's face, but what was she supposed to say once she was standing before him? Anju had realized that she was in love with Haru, but now that the time to tell him was approaching Anju began to second-guess her decision. After all, confessing your feelings was a very vulnerable moment and Anju wasn't sure she was comfortable enough to be that vulnerable in front of anyone, let alone Hatsuharu.

What if Haru laughed in her face? What if he rejected her? Anju's feet stopped suddenly, and the thin crowds continued around her. A new and terrible feeling trickled down Anju's spine. What if Haru wanted nothing to do with her? Did Anju really think she could handle that kind of rejection? Anju's fear of Haru's reaction paralyzed her. Slow and hunched over, Haru distanced the gap between them as he maintained his pace down the street and Anju failed to convince her feet to move. Anju was being rash. Right? She shouldn't shove her feelings onto Haru so suddenly. Right? Haru was getting further and further away. Anju furrowed her eyebrows unsure of what she should do. And if she did nothing, Haru was going to disappear again. What should she do?

The muted daylight suited Haru. His figure moved away from Anju in silhouette, but a loop of silver chain around his wrist winked in the sunlight and beckoned Anju to come closer. If Anju could just get herself to start moving again she could hold onto the fingers hanging limp from Haru's bracelet. Anju imagined how much warmer she would feel standing close to Haru and holding his hand, but that would be so embarrassing.

Even if she didn't confess to Haru, that didn't mean she couldn't still talk to him. Maybe Anju should only talk to him. That would be enough, right? She just wanted to hear his voice. But what was she supposed to say? There was only one thing on Anju's mind, and she imagined it would be difficult to carry on a normal conversation with something so substantial disrupting her thoughts. What if the truth just came tumbling out as soon as she was face to face with Haru? Not to mention, the last time she talked with Haru they had been yelling at each other. And she had hurt him. She should apologize…

Anju stood rigidly straight as Haru suddenly stopped. Was she giving Haru that prickling neck sensation you get when someone is watching you? Anju blushed feeling like a creeper and waited for Haru to turn around and catch her staring at him. Yet, Haru didn't turn around; instead he seemed to lower himself until Anju couldn't see him over the crowd anymore. Anju's curiosity and overbearing urge to keep Haru in sight finally convinced her to move from where she had been rooted. When her feelings had failed to put her in motion, the simple curiosity of where Haru had disappeared from this time got her feet moving again.

Anju moved deliberately through the crowd. Her heels clacked evenly on the concrete and mixed with the other sounds of the street. It wasn't long before Haru had come back into view. He had stopped and sat at a bench. The bench was polished and clean—and probably donated by some rich aristocrat trying to impress his peers. Anju's pace slowed, but she didn't stop. Haru was looking down and failed to see her approach. His elbows were resting on his knees and his back was hunched forward until his face was looking at the ground between his shoes.

Anju stopped just in front of Haru, her dress still clenched in one hand and her face set into something she hoped was determination. She had finally found Haru and was standing just in front of him. Now if only he would look up and see her. She still wasn't sure what she was going to do, but she knew she wanted him to, at the very least, look at her. Anju could just imagine how much better she would feel once his eyes were on her, and she almost smiled at the thought if not for her anxiety over what she would say once his eyes finally found her.

Haru had been wandering depressed through the market and had finally found somewhere to sit when a pair of incredibly high white heels had stepped just into his line of view. He would have been happy to ignore them if it hadn't been what Haru had been waiting for since he left the church. He still didn't look up though, what were the chances that Anju had left her wedding and risked angering Akito just to find him? He sighed closing his eyes so he wouldn't have to see those shoes. It was terrible of him to torture himself when Anju did it so well on her own. Any second those shoes would walk off and finally leave him in peace, and he wouldn't have to think of Anju getting married at that very moment to that Ishikawa jerk.

Haru might have kept his eyes closed for hours if a quiet voice hadn't prompted him to look up. It wasn't possible someone he knew would be able to find him after he'd wandered aimlessly as he could for the last hour. Besides, everyone he knew was at the church watching Anju get married. He should have been left alone for the rest of the day to wade around in his own misery. So who on earth had found him? Haru looked up.

"Hi," said Anju. That was as good as anything else to say, Haru thought and mimicked her salutation. There was a moment of nothing said as Haru's heart refused to calm down. Haru straightened in his seat and stared intently at Anju. The sound of his racing heart filled his ears and he wondered if she could hear it too. He couldn't believe she was there, standing before him with eyes only for him. How did he come to deserve this? "You left." She said matching his stare. Another moment of nothing said and only staring passed. The heat of her stare warmed him all the way to his fingertips. Haru couldn't believe this was happening to him. Such fortune.

"So you left your wedding to ask me to come back?" Haru asked as he accomplished the blankest stare and tone of voice he'd ever managed. If only she knew how differently he felt on the inside, but he didn't want to get carried away and start assuming things. He had to be careful not to get his feelings hurt again. It was very possible Anju was only there to drag him back to the ceremony and force him to watch her bind her life to another man's.

"No." Anju said shaking her head. "I just…" She frowned unsure of what she should say. Did Haru really think she'd do something like that? Was that how he saw her? "I just wanted to see you." Anju said quietly. The way Haru looked at her gave her a wonderfully uncomfortable feeling low in her abdomen. The bunch of skirt held in her gloved hand kept her attention away from Haru as his eyes widened just the slightest. So she wasn't that cruel after all.

She wanted to see him? Anju had left the alter just to see him? She disobeyed Akito, just to see him? Haru frowned. Akito wouldn't have let Anju leave unopposed. "Anju," Haru's voice was firm and Anju didn't think as she looked up and met his eyes. "Did Akito hurt you?" He asked looking her over for any obvious signs of injury. Though Haru couldn't see anything and Anju shook her head, the way she stood a bit taller and avoided his stare convinced him otherwise.

Anju was aware that she had just done a horrible job of lying and sighed finally meeting Haru's look of concern. "I made a decision, and Akito wasn't happy with it. But I'm fine. And there's no permanent damage, okay?" This wasn't what Anju had wanted to talk to Haru about, but she had to admit (besides the subject matter) it was nice to hear his voice and just see his face again. Anju already felt better being in his presence.

It was clear Anju didn't want to say anymore on the matter, but Haru was sure he wouldn't forget. He would just have to bring it up at a different time. For now he was going to savor his time looking at Anju. It was amusing to think Anju had been dressed up for another man, but he was the one enjoying the results. The cut of her dress was fantastically low and the design brought his eye from her chest to her narrow waist. He fought the urge to slide his hands around her middle. He would like nothing more than the feel her under his fingertips as he pulled her against his body. He let out a shaky breath and tried his best to think of something else. It was a rare moment to see Anju in a dress. Unfortunately, Haru would like nothing more than to never see that dress again. Preferably, he'd like to be the one to remove it.

"You're not getting married today?" Haru asked just to make sure Anju was saying what he thought she was saying. He was careful to only look her in the eye as he tried to calm his hormones. Concerning the direct question he had asked, Haru had discovered the hard way that it wasn't productive to beat around the bush with Anju; they needed to be blunt and honest when talking together. But if she didn't want to drag him back to her wedding, did that mean she wanted to discuss the kiss? Not to mention him turning black Haru on her when she didn't react the way he wanted. He sighed quietly regretting the way he had acted on the school roof.

"I'm not marrying Sato Ishikawa any day. " Anju said as if to remind herself. Haru couldn't help but notice the tiny smile she held as she said it. "I'm never going to be with anyone I didn't choose myself." Anju said firmly, and the smile grew. What did she mean by that? Haru wondered. Was that good news for him or not?

Anju was finding it hard not to tell Haru how she felt. He was right in front of her and she'd just uttered the perfect lead in to the topic she wished to bring up. But did she dare? Anju looked up and lost her train of thought as Haru stood from the bench. Even in her heels Haru was taller than her. He was very close and she could feel his warmth radiate in waves toward her. Anju looked up to meet Haru's stare only to realized how very close he was. "Hatsuharu," Anju whispered as she fought the urge to take a step back. She wanted to be this close to him. She wanted to feel how warm he was.

"Look Anju," He said noticing how forward he was being by standing so close to her, but this was exactly where he wanted to be. Anju took a shaky breath and lowered her gaze. Haru swallowed as her gloved hands lightly brushed against the front of his suit. She began adjusting Haru's tie rather than meet his intense stare. His tie was already very loose and the top few buttons of his shirt were open revealing an array of necklaces. The warmth of his chest was so inviting, but she didn't dare touch more than his necktie. "If this is about what happened at school—"

"I realized something today." She said quietly and cutting him off. Haru stopped what he'd been saying; Anju obviously had other plans for this conversation. Still holding his tie Anju met his stare. "I have been acting stupidly, haven't I?" She smiled slightly, but returned to a frown so quickly Haru wasn't sure it had been there at all. Anju's realization had only come once Akito had uttered her name in the church. Anju felt foolish when she thought of the extreme circumstances it had taken for her to recognize her own feelings. Love was so strange. The people on TV made it look so easy.

Anju looked at the black necktie in her hands and realized she'd been squeezing the silk. She loosened her grip suddenly and placed Haru's tie back against his shirt. Before she could drop her hand back to her side Haru grasped it between his own. Anju swayed a little as the intense heat of his hold traveled straight to her stomach. She could feel Haru staring at her, probably wondering why she'd been strangling his tie. "Haru," Anju said firmly. "I'm sorry for any trouble I've caused you, and I'm sure there have been lots. I'm sorry that I always seem to upset you lately. And, well I'm sorry if you don't agree with my next comment but," she took a deep breath as Haru stilled suddenly and his hold on her hand tightened. She wasn't sure what Haru's particular silence meant at the moment, but she wasn't going to let it bother her now. Anju knew there was no turning back. "I'm in love with you, Hatsuharu Sohma." She kept her eyes on Haru and stared critically looking for his reaction. Anju refused to say anymore until he did.

Anju grew worried when Haru did absolutely nothing. He seemed frozen; immobile. She had promised herself that she wouldn't jump to any conclusions until she heard what Haru had to say, but it was hard not to when he said nothing. Anju found herself steeling her emotions, ready for him to reject her, just in case. But his hold on her hand never loosened and that gave her some hope to cling to. Had he never rejected anyone before, so he didn't know what to say? Would they still be friends after this? Anju wondered. He probably thought she was an even bigger idiot than before.

Despite her thoughts, Anju still didn't move. She had to see his reaction, any reaction, however small. Without warning Haru spoke, "You're in love with me?" Anju nodded meekly. She was unable to stop the feeling of embarrassment from rising as the inevitable rejection got closer. "And you're sure about that?" Haru was completely blank as always, and Anju couldn't decipher anything from his demeanor. Anju tilted her head in confusion as she looked at Haru. If she were about to reject someone, she was sure she wouldn't first ask if their feelings were accurate or not first. Where was Haru going with this?

"I have been for a long time. I've only just realized." Anju said quietly avoiding his eyes. Haru wasn't doing what she thought he would, she was in uncharted waters from here on out. Haru was still blank and unmoving. "I'm sure." Anju said to answer his question directly. "I'm in love with you." He moved. She hadn't realized how high strung she was until the moment when he finally moved. Haru's hands were pulling her closer to him and guiding her into a warm hug.

"You've no idea how good it feels to hear that, Anju." Haru's voice vibrated through his chest and against her head as he spoke. She hadn't really noticed how deep his voice was until she was right up against his chest. She closed her eyes as her body happily shivered. Haru was holding her. Anju pushed her free hand against his torso until he looked down at her questioningly.

"You don't mind?" Anju asked still a bit unsure about what was going on here. Haru smiled widely, and Anju couldn't help but follow suit. He had such a wonderful smile.

"Anju," He said commanding her stare and he brought her hand to his chest. "I've been in love with you since that day you noticed that Momiji got to wear shorts to school and you couldn't." He was still smiling and Anju reciprocated warmly remembering the day Momiji had introduced them at school. "I've loved you that long." He said touching her gloved hand to his lips. Anju took a shaky breath watching him tenderly kiss each of her knuckles. How much better would his kisses feel against her skin?

Anju closed her eyes as the tangle of nerves in her stomach finally dissolved and was replaced by a fantastically awkward feeling. Haru loved her. He hadn't rejected her, he embraced her! She smiled contently as Haru brushed her fingers against his cheek and met her gaze again. He was glad this moment was finally happening. He'd always imagined what it would feel like, but the actual thing was worlds better. Haru smiled as he looked at his Anju. Her hair was a windswept mess, but it suited her surprisingly well. Her cheeks were flush, he assumed because of the crisp temperatures, and her lips had been tinted an inviting color of pink.

"Haru," said Anju, and he met her unusual eyes. She had been watching him and had probably noticed his gaze lingering on her lips. "Just kiss me already." Haru smiled and gladly complied. He let go of her hand and gladly slid both of his around her waist as he pulled her against his body. Anju smiled and ran her hands up his chest as his hold on her shifted and she was pressed tightly against him. Haru loved the feel of Anju wrapped in his arms and the smell of her hair filling his senses. He nuzzled the hair at her temple before planting a kiss there. He felt her sigh and he smiled as he next pressed a kiss to her jaw and trailed light kisses all the way to the corner of her mouth. He chuckled lowly when he noticed how tightly Anju was clutching his suit in anticipation. He was teasing her without mercy, he knew. Haru couldn't help but tease her a bit more though. He hovered closely near her lips and looked into her eyes. Haru's knees considerably weakened as he meet her golden gaze. Her eyes were dark with want and fully dilated, but she was waiting patiently and enjoying his attention. His abdomen stirred tightly and he ground his teeth to keep a longing growl from forcing its way from his lips. What he wouldn't give to have her look at him like that every day for the rest of his life. Any semblance of control he was holding onto dissolved with one single look from Anju Mamoto. He was painfully aware of her entire body pressed tightly along his as he leaned over her and forced her to tilt back as his lips came crushing down upon hers.

Haru slowly moved his lips along with Anju's and was encouraged by the small noises she made in the back of her throat and the fingers tightly wound into the collar of his jacket that pulled him even closer to her. With a gasp they parted for breath and Anju leaned her head against his chest panting for air. She would have happily continued if not for the rapid sound of clicking they heard directly to their right. Haru's hold on her tightened and Anju momentarily closed her eyes enjoying the feel of his chest pressed tightly against her.

Haru and Anju turned to look for the source of the sound. Anju was leaning heavily on Haru because she wasn't sure she could support her own weight. It didn't take long to discover the noisemaker, it was a camera. An impressive Nikon D5, Anju the camera enthusiast noticed. Anju and Haru both seemed to realize that the camera was directed at them at the same time. The street photographer behind the camera had caught their intimate moment. And by the sound of the continued click of the shutter, he was still capturing images of them. The shutter stopped once the photographer realized his subjects were aware of him. He lowered his camera and smiled a bit sheepishly as the bride and supposed groom stared very blankly at him.

"Sorry," said the photographer as he rubbed the back of his head in an unabashed manner. "I just couldn't pass on the wonderful scene the two of you had set up here." He explained lowering his camera to his side. Now that the camera wasn't blocking his face, Anju and Haru noticed the photographer probably wasn't much older than them. By the look of him, he seemed to be anything from eighteen to twenty. "Did you just get married?" He asked with a smile.

It was an understandable question, but neither Anju nor Haru answered. They weren't sure what they were supposed to say. They looked at each other with their arms still wrapped around one another. Haru was his usual blank and Anju shrugged her exposed shoulders. "No…" Anju said trying to find the words she needed. This was a bit embarrassing. She understood they were in public, but the thought that someone had been watching them being so intimate tinged her cheeks pink. "I was supposed to get married," she confessed still looking at Haru rather than the photographer who has posed the question. "But I didn't love him. So I left and found the man I do love." She smiled as Haru pressed his lips to her temple in response.

"Oh my," The photographer sighed touching his cheek. "How wonderful." He seemed to snap himself out of his daze and stood a bit straighter. "So what are your plans now?" He asked smiling warmly. "Will you run away together?" He asked excitedly as his grip on his camera tightened. "That'd be terribly romantic." He sighed again. Anju and Haru shared a look before turning to the photographer again. It was true they had no idea what they would do next, running away may be one of the possibilities. But the look they shared was only to confirm that they both agreed this street photographer was rather nosy and a complete romance novel junky.

"What we do next has not been determined." Haru's monotone voice seemed to bring the photographer back to reality and he looked at Haru in a different light. That was no way for a man in love to speak. The photographer had always imagined how emotion filled his every word would be the moment he fell in love. And this tall man in front of him was ruining his fantasy. He had to admit, despite the man in the suit ruining his romantic vision; he did take a good picture.

"Oh, well." The photographer searched for the right words, but came up with nothing. "Bye then." He waved awkwardly and frowned as he turned away. He had a lot to think about.

"Haru," Anju said watching the photographer leave. "I don't know what you did, but that man is thoroughly depressed." She frowned. Haru merely shrugged. He didn't care about the stranger; all he cared about was Anju. His Anju. He smiled kissing the top of her head.

"He is probably bipolar." Haru dismissed as he slid his hands around the object of his affection. "But he did pose a legitimate question. What do you want to do now, Anju-hime?" Haru smiled against her hair when he heard Anju huff at the nickname.

"Oh I don't know." Anju sighed leaning her cheek against his chest. "Does it matter? I have my Hatsuharu and that's all I care about." He shivered as she kissed his chest through his button up shirt and she hummed happily with his reaction. She would have gladly lived the rest of her life wrapped in Haru's arms, but as she turned her head she noticed the looks and giggles aimed their way. "Though I suggest we get off the street. People are staring." She frowned.

"As you wish, Anju-hime." Haru said blankly. He couldn't help but tease her; it gave him joy to push her buttons. He ignored the disapproving stare she had directed at him and took her gloved hand into his. He pressed her fingers to his lips and inclined his head if not a bit mockingly. "Where to, my love?"

Anju blushed at the unusual huskiness of his voice and the intense look in his eye. And he was all hers. She smiled sardonically and curtsied to Haru's immense amusement. "I want out of this dress," She confessed. The way Haru looked at her after her comment would have made a professional escort blush. His eyes were nearly black as he looked her from top to bottom and paused long enough in some places to make Anju squirm in place. "Haru!" Anju accused.

"I didn't say a word." He challenged.

"You didn't have to." Anju breathed out slowly. The wedding dress was tight enough, but if Haru refused to stop looking at her like that she didn't think she'd ever catch another full breath. "Haru-"

"I know you didn't mean it like that." He said finally looking away and leading her back into the slow pace of the morning market. Was he pouting? Anju wondered looking from their conjoined hands to the profile of his face that she could see. She smiled into her free hand and let Haru lead her wherever he wanted.

Eventually he'd remember that he didn't know where he was or where he was going, but Anju was glad to wander aimlessly as long as he was the one holding her hand. A break in the clouds allowed the sun to peek down at the market and Anju closed her eyes enjoying the warmth as Haru led her through the street. The clack of her heels was muted by the mossy cobble street and the wind played with the end of her scarf. Perfect, everything was just how it should be. Haru glanced back at her and she smiled widely. This is where she belonged.

Best wishes!

-BS