Bound by Fate

Chapter One

2 years later...

It had started out a typical day, but about halfway through Mayumi found she became a klutz that resulted in staying late after her final day of work to help clean up the mess she inadvertently made. Flour was everywhere after she had tripped in the doorway carrying an open container. The small bakery was closing for good, and she was going to miss coming every day to help out the elderly couple than ran it. With a heavy sigh, not wanting to leave her last day of work on the note she did, she set off, finally noticing that the sun had set while she had been detained. She made her way down the dimly lit street, not in any particular hurry. It wasn't as if there was anyone at home waiting on her. Her quiet apartment would do without her for a time yet. She took a slight detour down a side road where the trail to the local shrine was located. It had been a while since she visited there. Two years had passed since her life had changed drastically. She had just graduated from high school. She went from a member of a family of four to orphan overnight in a tragic car accident one late spring night.

The night air was warm, and smelled of the plum blossoms that were blooming overhead. It was a warming feeling to smell the familiar fragrance that lingered in the air during this time of year, despite the fact it brought with it painful memories. Mayumi could hear the sounds of one of the local festivals a few blocks back. She had been invited to attend by one of the local vendors, a sweet old lady that always had warm dumplings for her when she saw her. She tended to avoid places were families would gather together...

She made her way down the trail that led to the stairway that had overgrowth of vegetation nearly concealing its location. She would have to think to trim them a bit next time she came to visit. She made her way up the old stone stairway, her mind drifting slightly as she went. What would she do now? She finished school two years ago, and college was not something she had given much thought to. She thought about traveling the world, before she planned the rest of her life. However travel required money and now she was currently unemployed. After her family's death, she chose not to map out her life. She chose to live it one day at a time, each to its fullest.

She made it to the top of the stairs, and walked slowly to the shrine. It was always quiet and peaceful, with a single lantern illuminating the area. Yet tonight the lantern was not lit. Was she really running all that late? She closed her eyes in a silent prayer, her mind reflecting on her families faces. Why was it getting harder to picture them? She knew time would ease her pain, but she didn't want to forget her family. Had she grown so used to being alone?

#

He watched the young woman stand up after saying a quiet prayer. So long since anyone had come, she had his complete attention. He was expecting her to leave after completing her task, but was surprised when she started jumping after the fireflies that liked to twinkle around the clearing. He sat back surprised and watch her swat her arms through the air with a slight smile on her face. He remembered the first time he ever saw her face. The raw grief was no longer there, and her smile was...

It was fascinating.

He relaxed up on the roof, as much as he was able to and watched her play like a child. She spun around her hand clasping in front of her. She carefully held up her clasped hands in front of her face, and peered through her fingers. He smirked as she opened her hands, confused. She didn't snatch one like she thought she had, and her expression was comical. She turned quickly as a few blinked next to her, only her foot slipped, and she fell flat on her face with an ungraceful thud.

He burst out laughing, not expecting such an outcome.

#

She let out a sigh. Another finished chapter in her life with the closing of the bakery. She would miss the kind old couple, but was happy for them. They would be with their family, sheltered and takes care of the rest of their lives. She had to admit she felt a bit jealous of that. Her own grandparents were long deceased, in fact she couldn't remember them at all. Only that they had lived. She began to try and catch fireflies out of the air as she got lost in her thoughts. True to form, she managed to trip and fall on her face...

She was torn from her reverie when blue flames came to life all around the small clearing, illuminating the grounds in an eerie glow. It was other worldly, that much she knew. It was as terrifying as much as it was breathtaking. She froze.

Someone was laughing. She held her breath for a few heartbeats. Were they laughing at her?!

"That was the funniest thing I've seen in ages," a voice seemed to move around her. It sounded almost sad. She stood up quickly and looked around. She dusted herself off, trying to act like nothing was amiss, but her heart was racing. She turned and looked at the path entrance that led to the shrine.

"Is someone there?" she asked nervously.

"No one but you silly girl," the voice seemed to reply. The voice came from behind her.

She looked around slowly. Even the air seemed to move, was this work of Yurei? She dared not breathe, as fear took hold over the wonder of what was unfolding around her.

"You didn't come last week, thought for sure you wouldn't come back," he added quietly.

"Whoever is there, please come out..." she murmured. She felt nervous now.

"No one is hiding in the bushes," the voice replied. Mayumi turned in the direction the voice came from.

Her eyes snapped to the roof of the shrine where he sat, surrounded by the blue flames. His clothing was traditional in style, but what was most disarming was his appearance. Long silvery hair was tied back from a pale face with amber eyes no human could possibly have. They looked at her through the darkness, glowing and ethereal. He looked like perhaps he was in his early twenties physically, but she had no way to know how to really guess. He looked almost bored.

She glanced away, trying not to let it show that she had noticed him. What was she supposed to do? Was she trespassing on someone's property? No! This was a shrine! Anyone was allowed! She turned and froze in place as one of the glowing blue orbs of blue fire approached her. She edged around away from it nervously. Her imagination began to get ahead of her as all types of scenarios began to unfold in her mind. She spent too much time cooped up reading fantasy books. Surely there was a perfectly logical explanation for this!

Mayumi turned back to the broken down shrine building, and looked up to the roof.

He stared back at her.

She inhaled sharply, realizing this wasn't simply a figment of her imagination playing tricks on her.

He frowned slightly and then glanced behind him to see what was behind him, a confused expression etched on his face. His head snapped back to stare at her, his eyes wide.

"Wait, can you see me?" he asked.