Seasons - Part 2/4: Spring

[xxdoublexx]

February

The dry and empty branches a few weeks ago had become full of life, its branches now covered with fresh green buds of sakura, waiting for the right time to come when it would open. The smell of spring, of newly grown grass and freshly budded flowers wafted in the warm breeze. The wind then intertwined the scent into everyone's heart.

It was still too early for the flowers to bloom. Everywhere was green, different shades and variations, lying on top of each other. Normally it was red that represented love, but why did Valentine's Day fall on such a green season? Did it mean that the love people think they have in them were only weak and immature as the tender green, or that love still had a long way to go? Anyway, no body seemed to notice, and continued wallowing in what they supposed was love.

He walked through the school, hoping form some peace and quiet, but unfortunately, that was quiet impossible. Why? Today the February 14th, so everywhere he went, it aroused a commotion of girls squeaking. He could feel the smile he usually kept pasted on his face start to crack and fall off.

Another wash of the gentle wind brought along the faint scent of roses. It wasn't the time for roses to bloom, but somehow roses seemed to be blooming everywhere in the world if you cared enough to look. It was a nice and sweet change from the vast stretch of green that you see. The red flower always reminded people of whom they love.

Finally, he reached his locker, but one look at it gave him an incredible headache. Red and pink Valentine cards stuck out form every little gap possible, and the floor beside was flooded with pink confetti. Now he didn't want to get anywhere near his locker, but he had to get his books. And it was only the first period.

Once he took off the lock, the door burst open and cards came piling down on him. He took a painful amount of time to stuff them back, and miraculously, wasn't late for class.

Love was in the air, but whether it was a good thing, no one could be sure.

By the end of school, Kurama was sure his head would burst soon. All the cards were in his bag, and the chocolates he received were sure to weigh more than an elephant when added together, and he had to carry them all back home. He just couldn't bear to disappoint them all. But at least they could make way to let him get out of the school! He gave a huge sign of frustration inwardly while he smiled and said tons of 'thank you' as the chocolates grew heavier and heavier.

Just then, he spotted Yusuke and Kuwabara, and called out to them. As they approached, the girls slowly dispersed, afraid of the top gangsters in the whole neighbourhood. That was the only thing they were good for.

"Wow! Kurama, you are so popular," Yusuke said as his eyes bugged out upon seeing the chocolates, "I only received one box form Keiko, and honestly, she doesn't cook that well. Maybe just chocolates."

"Better than me, Urameshi. But I'm sure I would receive a box if Yukina-san knows what chocolates are and what they stand for," Kuwabara signed, trying to sound confident.

"Don't get your hopes up high. Maybe you won't even live to the day she knows about those stuff," a cold voice came from a tree, and Kurama's eyes lit up. Hiei was in front of them the next second.

"Here, Yusuke, Kuwabara, you can have as much chocolate as you want. I can't eat so much myself," Kurama quickly changed the topic as he saw that a fight was about to erupt. Luckily, the two teenagers took half of the chocolates and left. Too bad they didn't take all of them.

"Hiei, can you come to my house for a while? I have something to give you." Ever since the day they planted the seed, Hiei had been visiting Kurama more often, sometimes through the window and sometimes through the door. His mother knew about this 'friend' (that's what they told her, and what that appeared on the surface) and welcomed him gladly.

Hiei didn't reply, instead, he picked up the rest of the chocolates and headed towards Kurama's house.

"What are in these boxes?" Hiei asked as he dumped his burden onto Kurama's bed.

"Oh, they're just chocolates." Kurama explained, but catching the confused look in Hiei's eyes, he tried again, as if talking to a three year old. "It's something sweet that you can eat, and people give them on this particular day to show their admiration towards the receiver. You can try some. They taste rather good."

Hiei eyed the boxes carefully, and after making sure they did not have a bomb attached, he tore open a box and stared at the chocolates for a while, before cautiously putting one in his mouth.

Kurama observed, and he could see that Hiei was addicted to chocolates immediately. He had the same expression when he ate his first spoonful of ice cream. Looks like Hiei had a sweet tooth. Kurama giggled.

"What are you laughing at, fox?" He shot his head up and glared at Kurama.

"You seem to like chocolates. Go ahead and eat to your heart's content," he said, but Hiei was no longer paying attention to him, and was rather busy tearing open the next box. Kurama grinned and brought all the Valentine cards downstairs to his mother. She always liked to keep these things, saying that it was a pity to throw them.

When he came up again, Hiei was already through with half the amount of chocolates. Because of the distractions, the fire demon failed to notice what Kurama brought up with him. The latter just sat there and followed Hiei's every move with his eyes. Sometimes, he's content just with watching. Sometimes not.

He waited until Hiei finished all the chocolates, but from the tiny frown he had, Kurama knew that he still wasn't full, which in this case was good. He took out the delicately decorated box he kept hiding behind his back and waved it in front of Hiei's face. "You still want some more? You'll get fat, you know," he teased.

Hiei glared at him, than snatched the box away. "You made this yourself?"

"Yes, and you are my first guinea pig." Kurama tried hard to sound casual and keep his smile anon his face, when in fact, he could feel his stomach trying to tie a knot. His fingers twitched, wanting desperately to clutch onto something, but he suppressed them. It would show how nervous he was. He stole a glance at Hiei through the corner of his eyes, and saw him carefully pulling the red ribbons off. Kurama quickly reverted his gaze back to his hands.

Hiei opened the box, and saw three neat rows of white chocolate lying in there. They were shaped like roses, not some vague shape, but really looked like a real one. Kurama could have easily passed them off as white roses. It seemed that each petal was made individually, and then combined together to form the flower, so each rose looked different.

He almost couldn't bear to eat them, but that would be disrespectful. He gently plucked off one of the petals and put it into his mouth. The petal was thin enough, but once it was in his mouth, the chocolate melted immediately and there was even a filling in it. The taste of roses soon covered over all his senses, and even the unique aroma of the chocolate was overpowered. He opened his eyes slowly, once the fragrance had faded a little, and saw Kurama staring at him expectantly.

"Did you try this yourself, fox?" Hiei asked while pretending to be a bit angry.

Kurama shook his head sheepishly, and said, "No, I didn't dare to. I was afraid that . . .Dose it taste that bad? I'm really sorry, I'll --- Before he could finish, Hiei popped one of the petals into his mouth.

"Just how much time did you spent on making this?" Hiei said exasperated, "You should have been doing other things, and not wasting so much time to make chocolates for me." Now Kurama understood, and smiled with relief.

"Nah, it's worth it. Anyway, it wasn't so hard to make, and didn't take a long time at all."

Hiei raise an eyebrow and stared at him. "You think I'll believe that?"

"Really, it's simple. First, you collect lots of rose petals, then soak them into a jar full of sugar water, seal it, and leave it there for four weeks. After four weeks, you take all the petals out, and then pour the solution out to heat it, until it turns into caramel. If the rose taste is still not enough, add some rose essence. As for the chocolate . . ." Hiei stared wide eyes, as Kurama continued going on and on about how to make the chocolates.

"Next time, remind me to change the definition for 'simple'." Hiei shook his head and ate another petal. The taste of roses overwhelmed him, and he flopped down onto the bed and closed him eyes to enjoy the flavour. Kurama's soft voice kept ringing in his ears, talking about nothing in particular, but it soothed him. It felt so nice . . .

"Oi, Hiei, wake up! Or else I'll finish all the chocolates by myself!" Hiei painfully pried his eyes open and found himself staring right into to a pair of very bright emerald eyes.

"Kurama, go to sleep. It's too early to wake up," he mumbled and buried his head into the pillow.

"That means you don't want this?" he smelled the scent of roses, but when he opened his eyes, the chocolate was in Kurama's hand, who was across the room. He groaned and tried to lie down again, but the fragrance was like a hand, pulling him up. But he wanted to sleep so much . . .

With a burst of speed, he leapt up and dived for the candy flower. He got what he wanted, and also something he didn't expect. The force of his leap sent him off balance and tumbling onto Kurama. They crashed onto the ground with Hiei on top. This gave him a sense of deja vu. Oh, yes, on the mountain . . .He vowed to himself to never lose control again, so instead, he closed his eyes and continued lying there, his head on Kurama's chest.

The soft pounding of his heart and the even rise and fall of his chest all seemed like a lullaby. The smell of roses was still there, though he didn't know whether it came from Kurama or the chocolate. The drowsiness still hadn't left him, and he could feel himself being lulled into a slumber. It certainly was more comfortable than the bed.

Why did Valentines' Day fall on such a green season? What did it really present?

Kurama could feel Hiei relaxing, and knew he was falling back to sleep. Hiei was always on the alert, anywhere, anytime, and even around Yusuke and Kuwabara. In fact, Kurama had never seen Hiei sleeping in peace before, but now, it was already the second time he had fallen asleep in front of Kurama. It made him feel special.

Green represents love that's newly formed, that's refreshing but sometime sour. This kind of love is vulnerable, and like the new sprout, could easily treaded upon, but it just happens that this vulnerability, this innocence, is also the most beautiful and full of life. The fruit was still unripe, that's why people admire it, hope that it would grow up soon, but never attempt to touch it. It is still pure.

Valentine's Day falls on this green season to remind people of the purity in love they once had, that what sort of person they were. It was nice to know that you had once been naïve.

He gently wrapped his arms around the sleeping figure lying on top of him, closed his eyes to savor this rare chance.

As the sun slowly set, colours were also swept away with it. Who knows when we would wake up to find the fields covered with brilliant flowers, and no longer green? It sounded beautiful, but was it really was?

The sun glided across the horizon, dyeing the clouds to a scarlet more bright than any rose ever seen. It was giving people a last glimpse of colours before the day ended. The green fields were now coated with a golden layer of sunshine. Why was that something is always most beautiful the moment before it disappears?

"Happy Valentine's Day, Hiei," Kurama whispered in the slowly darkening room. Hiei made a small noise, then buried himself deeper into the embrace. At least tonight they won't be lonely.

The green went away with the sun. Would it return tomorrow?

March

The time everyone had anticipated had finally arrived. The sakura on every tree was blooming, causing the trees to because just a big wad of pink. The colour of sakura was everywhere, along the roads, around the houses, etc. Yet even when sakura was blooming all over the place, people still lifted their heads up to admire them, and not take them for granted. Maybe it was because the flowers would be gone after a few weeks.

A gentle gale blew across the land, separating some petals from the flower and gave them a flight in the air before putting them down on the ground. And that marks the end for those petals. Their beauty only lasted that few seconds.

He packed all the clothes he needed for the vacation into the bag. Hiei just sat there watching.

The ground was carpeted with pink petals, some clean and freshly fallen, while others were polluted by the soil, mud and humans. Although it seemed such a pity to tread on these, people had alternative. Yes, they did love the flower, but when they had to move on, and the petals were blocking the way, they would step on them without hesitation. It sounded cruel and pathetic. Did our love for things only go that far?

"Hiei, don't you have anything to bring with you?" Kurama asked. It was spring holiday, and his family had decided to go to a cottage owned by Kurama's stepfather's family for vacation. Hiei was invited, naturally, although he seemed reluctant to go. But Kurama knew better. "Oh, and you'd better put your katana away for a few days."

"If I were to bring so much stuff with me every time I leave home (which I had been doing all my life) I don't think I would be here now. Honestly, when have you become so obsessed with material life?"

"It's not obsession, it's just a necessity to be living in the human world. You talk exceedingly much to day."

"Shut up, fox," Hiei mumbled and gave a glare. To Kurama, it was a sign of embarrassment.

People loved sakura. They really did, but it was not enough to make them sacrifice something of their own for the sakura. They only took; they didn't give. What kind of love was that?

Kurama sat in the car, watching the beautiful scenery flow by. Hiei wasn't with them. Apparently, he had been appalled by the speed of the car, and no matter how Kurama tried, he couldn't get Hiei to go with them by the vehicle.

"Shuuichi, when is your friend going to arrive at the cottage?" Shiori asked.

"Oh, don't worry. He'll get there before us, maybe even impatient from waiting," Kurama replied with a hint of laughter.

The cottage was located in a rural area, and they were getting close to the destination. The sky seemed much more blue, and the clouds so free of pollution. But these all only provided a beautiful background compared to the vast expanse of sakura trees that stretched out on the endless fields. Pink on light blue, the colours of a pretty fantasy.

Soon, they arrived. The cottage was fine, old and sturdy that brought you a sense of peace and safety. But what struck Kurama was a miniature lake nearby. It was not more than 25 meters in diameter, but the water in it sparkled like crystals, its surface occasionally disturbed by a few sakura petals that fell from the trees surrounding it. Kurama promised himself that he must find a chance to swim in it sometime. Maybe he could drag Hiei into the water . . .

Kurama got to his allocated room, and found, to his expectation, that Hiei was already there, looking annoyed.

"Hiei, did you see the lake?" Kurama gushed out as he started unpacking, "It's so wonderful! I think we should-

"Don't think about it! I'm not going swimming." Hiei cut him out and glared.

"Why?" he asked as a playful smirk slowly rose to his lips, "Are you afraid of water?" Hiei glared harder. "Well, in that case, I am definitely going. You can't stop me from swimming, and neither can you stop me from trying to make you swim. But be grateful that it's not today. I'm too tired right now." Kurama said and flopped down on the bed beside Hiei and gave him a quick hug before drifting off to dreamland. He felt Hiei lie down beside him.

"Shuuichi! Breakfast is ready!" Shiori's voice pierced through the sleepy air of the morning, waking up the two occupants I the room. Kurama sat up groggily, but Hiei snuggled deeper into the pillow. Who would have known he's not a morning person? Kurama gave him a playful shove, but it was still the aroma of pancakes that woke him up.

Breakfast was uneventful, except that the other Shuuichi shrank to the corner furthest away form Hiei, not even daring to look up. And that was the best Hiei could manage. He didn't even glare.

After that, Kurama got a book and went out. He was beginning his plan. He settled down under one of the sakura trees by the lake, and he could sense that Hiei was watching him. He must not do anything "dangerous" that might scare Hiei away. He would slowly lure Hiei to come close. Slowly, slowly, but Hiei definitely was taking his own sweet time.

Indeed, he didn't do anything "Dangerous". I fact, he didn't move at all, staring at the first page of the book, his mind too full to comprehend anything. And so, he fell asleep in the gently breeze.

"Kurama, you'll get buried alive here if you don't wake up soon." Hiei's voice came . . . from above? Kurama opened his eyes and found
himself staring up at Hiei, who was sitting on the tree. Also, he found himself covered in sakura petals. He quickly stood up and shook away those petals, and a few unwilling ones were also brushed off as Hiei ran his hand through Kurama long silky hair.

"Do you still want to swim?" Hiei narrowed his eyes and squinted at Kurama.

"Of course! Thanks for reminding me," he said and quickly took off his outer clothing and dived into the lake. The water felt extremely cool and refreshing, and so clear that Kurama could almost see through from one side to the other. It wasn't every deep, about 2.5 metres. The water even had the faint smell of sakura.

Now it was time to activate the main part of his plan. Kurama resurfaced, and after making sure that Hiei was still there, he took a deep breath and dived to the bottom of the lake, trying hard not to surface.

Hiei just sat by the shore. In fact, it wasn't that he didn't want to swim. It was because he didn't' know how to. Being a fire demon naturally gave him a reflex action to stay away from water. Up till now, all he had to deal with were ice and steam, which came from the water he evaporated. He never even stayed in the rain long enough to get wet, except for that once with Kurama. This was actually the first time he came so close to a body of water, not drinking or rain water.

He waited, and waited for Kurama to resurface, but still, that didn't happen. It wasn't normal for someone to last under water for so long. He took a tentative step towards the water, and the pounding of his heart seemed to have become the ticking of a clock, and it was shouting at him that for each second passed, Kurama was in more danger.

Finally, he couldn't bear it anymore and jumped into the lake. The sudden feeling of having no support at all overwhelmed him, and when he tried to breathe, water rushed into his mouth. Ht tried reaching down to feel where Kurama was, but his eyes, being unadjusted to water, couldn't make him see anything. He could feel himself falling . . . falling . . .

"Hiei! Hiei! Are you alright?" he heard Kurama's frantic voice calling out to him, and he tried to reply, only to cough up more water. That was when he realized how awful he felt. He used the last of his strength to open his eyes, and saw Kurama's face, dripping with water and covered with anxiety and guilt. He soon found himself in a tight embrace, making him cough up even more water. Somehow it made him feel better.

"I'm so sorry, Hiei, I promise I won't do it again," Kurama rambled on once he released him.

"What is it?" he asked groggily. Now he felt much better, just fatigue which was pushing him to fall asleep.

"I didn't know that you couldn't swim! I was only trying to play a trick, I never thought . . . I'm so sorry! Please, please forgive me, I won't do it again, and I promise not to tell---

"Shut up, fox. I want to sleep. It's no big deal, and you are whining like a kid."

"Hey! I'm no t like a kid!" Kurama protested and caught Hiei before he could hit the ground and sleep. "But since you didn't know how to swim, you shouldn't have jumped," his tone suddenly soft and soothing, "I would have come up sooner of later. You should not take the risk."

"I thought you were drowning, and my brain snapped. Couldn't think anymore, and jumped in. it wasn't a risk, you would've done the same thing if I was the one drowning. It was only fair." And with that, he finally could close his eyes for the much needed rest. Kurama smiled and place Hiei's head on his lap.

"You've really done a stupid thing today, so stupid that makes me feel so much more for you than I ever have, and that I never should have. Will you do it again, only for me?"

Hiei's sleeping face looked so peaceful, the usual scowl or fierceness all wiped clean, leaving him looking vulnerable and so much like a child. His alabaster skin seemed to glow, and the water droplets on his face were gems that sparkled against the cheerful afternoon sun. He looked so different, so which was the real him? Kurama wondered.

The sakura also loved humans, but the love is much more pure, and also because it could only live or die, without begin in between, stuck in living hell, it was afraid of nothing, it did whatever it wanted.

Kurama carefully picked Hiei up and carried him back to the cottage. His family met him with questioning glances, but the silenced them, not wanting to wake Hiei up, or spoil the rare expression on his face.

He put the fire demon on the bed, and gently tucked him in. not matter what expression he wore, he was still Hiei, the angry one, the cute one, the cold one, the embarrassed one. . . . Those were all part of Hiei, and all were real, because he would never lie. Kurama was happy because Hiei didn't hide these things from him anymore.

The sakura also longed to be loved, and able to touch, not just being watched or watching. So it ignored all the people's wishes for it to bloom longer, and released its petals once the wind came. Ti used its one last journey to drift around, and in hope of brushing against anything, anything at all, so that it could feel. And then, it could rest in peace. It used its life as the ante. It had nothing else. Yet, it was satisfied.

Kurama planted a light kiss on Hiei's lips, earning him an illegible mumble.

But people were made angry by the sakura's stubbornness. They saw it as unfortunate, and short-lived, suing it as comparisons to ill-fated things. Little did they know that having a short and fascinating life is much better than a long and monotonous one. The sakura didn't expect them to understand. Having too much expectations only bring you much greater disappointments.

"Indeed, you made me feel so much more than I should, and now I want you to be only mine, that you will do these things only for me. I know I am asking for too much, but you've made me so, I want to be the only special person to you," Kurama whispered, running his fingers over Hiei's cheek.

What was sad was that people's love for the flower was always blinded by layers and layers of rules and customs laid on them. Often, the sakura found not what it was looking for.

Suddenly, Hiei opened his eyes and said, "You think too much, you worry too much and you speak too much, fox. Am I a person who is not responsible for what he does?" with that, he sat up and captured Kurama's lips in a short kiss.

"When did you wake up? Was I that loud?" Kurama asked, more glad than puzzled.

"No. I didn't fall asleep at all." He replied and smirked.

But still, the sakura petals kept falling . . . touching . . . searching . . .

April

The period of sakura was almost over. The trees were not yet completely bare, with the last few stubborn petals desperately clinging onto the branches. Although most of the flowers willingly went with the wind, these few were the exceptions. Like humans, each flower had its own characteristics. Or perhaps it was just he weather conditions and when they bloomed. But there's no harm in adding a little more spirit to tings around us, right?

Maybe then, would we only be conscious of wheat others feel, and less people would be hurt.

Kurama was exactly one of those people, whom to others may seem a little unusual. In a weird way, yes, but that would soon be forgotten when he smile. A smile, which was almost just as sweet as the rose he seemed to be talking to.

Do you believe that plants can talk? If so, what would the gradually rotting petals say, as someone just stepped over them? What would the bare branches say, as someone just passed it, casting a disapproving glance? If they feel pain just like we do, whom can they confide to? Would anyone understand?

Isn't it always more painful that nobody can truly understand you, than that you don't even have a chance to speak?

The rose seemed to be leaning into his hand, as his lips moved, as if whispering something that no one but the flower and himself could hear. Then he stood up, and went to another section of the backyard.

Now the flower almost glowed in the sunlight, its petals thick and luscious, colour as rich as the finest red wine and its seductive scent wafted in the afternoon air. Just a moment ago it was only a wilting rose overshadowed by others of its own kind. What did Kurama say to it?

A strong gust of wind blew by. sakura petals scattered to the ground.

Kurama continued tending to his flowers, his actions familiar and skilful. "Hiei, why don't you come down?" He suddenly said, not even turning around. But the garden was apparently empty.

Well, at least it was a second ago. A shadow flickered and Hiei stood behind Kurama, arms folded in a rather annoyed posture. "How did you know it was me?" Kurama turned and smiled. Hiei found himself unable to sustain his annoyance much longer, but sill put on a stern face. "Am I so easy to detect?"

"Of course not. I took two seconds to know that you were on the tree, and that I sonly because I'm used to your aura. Two seconds should be enough time for you if you want to kill someone."

"But I can never scare you this way, and it isn't fair. You always freak me out when you mask your aura and sneaks up behind me." He continued to pretend to be angry. It was silly, and he knew that. What he didn't know was why he still did that even when he knew it was childish. Luckily he only behaved this way in front of Kurama.

"You told me that my alertness was dropping, so I improved it. If you are unhappy about it, blame yourself," Kurama replied smugly and ruffled Hiei's hair with his soil stained hand.

"Don't do that!" he tried removing the dirt, but to no avail.

"Don't worry, you can take a shower later, after you've done helping me in the garden."

"When did I agree to help you?" Hiei narrowed his eyes and stared accusingly.

"Oh, you don't want to? Well, then I guess you will have to go to Yusuke's house to borrow the shower. Besides, you still have not paid me back for the plant I provided you to give to Mukuro. A little gardening won't hurt."

Hiei grunted, but kneeled down and stared helping all the same. Only that he froze when his hands came a centimeter above the soil. He just realized that he had not the tiniest idea what he was supposed to do and Kurama was staring at him. A hearty chuckle broke out from Kurama.

"Sorry, Hiei, but I forgot you have no experience with this kind of stuff," he smiled, amused. Hiei had to keep himself form blushing, half caused by embarrassment, half by what the words implied. He quickly drove his thoughts to another direction. "Hiei, are you here with me?" Kurama asked and waved his hand in front of Hiei's eyes, seeing that he had been staring into space for the past few moments.

Suddenly, Kurama grinned mischievously an said, "Is this your first time?"

"W . . . What are you talking about, Kurama?" Hiei broke away from his trance and sputtered out, although any of his efforts at trying to keep his mind away from that area totally failed as he spoke. He just hoped he didn't' blush.

Kurama restrained from teasing Hiei further, as much tempting as it was. He didn't want to scare him away. Instead, he handed him a small shovel. "Just loosen the soil, then we'll add some new ones," he instructed an demonstrated. "And also, pluck away any weeds, that you see. No, no, not that, it's grass, not week." Hiei just blinked emptily at him.

This was rather hopeless. But that's what that made it fun.

"It's like this," Kurama whispered gently by Hiei's ear, and held his hand to show him how to do it. "Close you eyes and listen with our heart, then you can hear what the plats are trying to say to you," he said in a dreamy voice.

Hiei shot him a glare and muttered, "They are telling me that you're crazy."

"No, I mean it. Just close your eyes and concentrate," he said seriously. Hiei could only oblige.

Miraculously, he really did hear something, sort of like soft murmuring. He still couldn't make out the words. Who knows if they even were words? He must be nuts to be listening to Kurama and speaking to flowers. The voices gradually got louder, and all of them seemed to be speaking at once, forming a peaceful chorus. It sounded heavenly, but somewhere deep inside, the song seemed sad. He opened hs eyes before he could get too emotionally, and saw Kurama moving his lips slightly.

Then, the rose, which was right in front of him, seemed to perk up. Kurama opened his eyes and smiled contently.

"You can actually speak to them? All I heard was some faint buzzing." Kurama smiled triumphantly at him and said, "It takes years of practice," and he gave a small wink. Hiei muttered something about having to control himself. Kurama grinned.

"The flowers said that they feel hurt. They know that humans love them, love their beauty, but exactly how many people would refrain from the temptation of plucking a flower down and take it home, only to find it wilted? Then I twill be dumped in the trash. No one can see or hear what the flowers really feel; they only judge from the surface, because flowers cannot talk."

"But they talked to you just now."

"No, I only sensed their aura. Every living thing has an energy, and even if it cannot talk, its mood could be shown through the slight change in pattern of the aura. Then I change my own aura to let them sense what I'm trying to say. I am not as magical s you think," Kurama laughed, but Hiei felt an underlying sense of bitterness.

Hiei looked at him seriously, and said, "Can you feel everything's aura, including mine?"

Kurama shook his head. "Humans are never as open and innocent as plants. I can feel their aura if I try, but what's the point? Since they want to hide, let them hide. Humans can speak, why do I have to use such an indirect method to know how they fell?" He said and his emerald eyes sparked. "Even I have to hide . . ."

"I don't know how to speak." Hiei said and looked away.

Kurama smiled understandingly. Now Hiei rally looked like a child, so vulnerable, so confused . . .Kurama skimmed his fingers across Hiei's cheek, gently guiding him up to look at him in the eye. "Close you eyes and feel, concentrate, like when you tried communicating with the plants, and feel. Only feel. Just feel, what your heart is trying to say. If you know what you really want, just open you mouth, and words will pour out. Just close your eyes right now."

He did as told, and immediately, every memory rushed back at him. He say himself traveling, alone, fighting, alone and doing everything and anything, alone. Why bother taking when there was nobody listening? Now it was different.

"I need to talk," he sad and tightened his hand around Kurama's wrist, afraid that this one person, the only person whom stayed with him would escape, disappear, or evaporate, he kept his eyes shut tight. Scenes from his memory flowed past in front of him, and he spoke, as if telling someone else's story. Kurama didn't move nor speak. He listened.

When the sun started setting, Hiei finally opened his eyes, and saw Kurama staring intently at him. He suddenly felt embarrassed, sitting next to such a beautiful creature, so he averted his gaze and abruptly stood up, only to get pulled back down. Kurama gave him a hug that was much warmer than the sunshine.

"See? You can talk. We are not plants, so if you say that you can't talk, it's not true," Kurama said and ran his hand through Hiei's hair, feeling the fire demon slowly relaxing into the embrace. "I will always listen when you talk."

Hiei was just getting used to the warmth and beginning to enjoy it, when Kurama exclaimed, "Look! The plant that you gave me grew taller!" He tuned to the direction Kurama was pointing at, and saw a hard-stemmed plant about 50 cm tall, with so many leaves that made it look like a green mushroom. The leaves were of very deep green, and when put under light, glowed a little silvery. The stems did not have any thorns, and the foliage looked full, and had a sort of gently curve that made it seem friendly. It made people want to hug it.

"Hey, there's a bud here! And another one there!" Sure enough, there were tiny buds that popped up on the branches. They also glowed silver, and looked like little light bulbs that hand around Christmas trees.

"I still have no idea what type of plant this is," Kurama said with a pout.

Flowers continued falling, but in the meantime, new buds bloomed.

"Can you feel what it is trying to say?" they closed their eyes, and Hiei heard the chorus, though this time there was no hidden sadness. It seemed content, wanting nothing more than what it already had, and was really overjoyed that someone could actually hear it. The happiness influenced Hiei too, and bough a smile to his normally expressionless face.

The Earth bustled with life, and since there is life, there must be death. Flowers bloom, flowers wilt, these are all part of the cycle that keeps the earth going, that keeps our lives running. Running, until we too, like the flowers, wilt. It is noting to be sad for. As long as the glowers bloomed, and people admire them, then their mission on this planet is done. Isn't it easy to fulfill their wish? They why do so many things die unsatisfied?

"Hiei, you're smiling," Kurama's soft voice carried him back to reality. "Do you feel happy?"

He blinked, then realized the warm and gently feeling he had in his heart now. It felt like Kurama's hug. Is that happiness? He didn't care what that feeling is called, but he knew that the liked it, and wanted more.

"Yes, I'm happy, Kurama." And for the first time, he wasn't hiding anything.

The branches of the sakura three were finally bar, but the branches of the peach blossom tree were just starting to get decorated by peach blossoms. Some people looked on the ground and signed, some people looked into the sky, and smiled. A little boy suddenly rolled on the ground, onto the fresh carpet of sakura petals, and looked into the sky, blue horizon dotted by fresh peach blossoms. Everything had its beautiful side, just see that side, and things will be fine.

Wasn't it too good a day to be brooding over a dark side that you couldn't even see?

Kurama stood up and waked towards the front door. "You coming, Hiei?"

"I guess, but why?"

" I still owe you a bath. Your hair is covered with soil." With that Kurama made face and bolted into the house.

It was just too good a day . . .