I Do not own Yuyu Hakusho
The Shoeshiner
by: adalleria
The city is covered with the pure whiteness of the winter snow. People coming and going... male, female, adult, children... All were busy, wearing smiles and laughter... carrying shopping bags full of new clothes and new shoes and new toys and foods... It's Yuletide season and everyone is happy... well... at least everyone with money...
Out in the dark corner of the downtown of that same city... wearing nothing but his tattered clothes which can be better called as rags, those poor little feet with nothing but the too big, old winter boots which did nothing to protect him from the freezing cold, the poor little redheaded boy with eyes the color of the fresh leaves of spring sat beside the trash can across the newly opened bakeshop. In his lap rest a small wooden box containing a piece of cloth and a shoe brush.
Calming his empty stomach, the little boy contented himself just looking at those mouth-watering treats, savoring its taste through his imagination. Unconsciously tightening his grip to his small wooden box... his treasure... his only hope. In that box lay his future... and his tonight's dinner. Taking a few more encouraging breath, he stand and started the walk to the marketplace, his paradise and salvation.
"Shoe shine"
"Shoe shine..."
"Madam, Señor, would you like me to shine your shoes?"
His small voice force itself to be heard in the middle of busy street. His thin, weak body fought the cold and the towering crowd. Flashing his innocent smile at everyone he encountered, repeating his lines... the one he rehearse and use everyday of his seven short-lived life.
By the end of the day, he counted his prize....
21 bucks...
He got 21 bucks for the whole day of work... He's lucky today... he can buy enough bread for his mother and maybe he can beg for some hot soup... the owner of the bakery is kind to him anyway. He could also afford some medicine, his mother's cough is quite disturbing. He can also save some loaves for his friend and his sister. Their aunt just died yesterday and they're now all by themselves.
"Mama... I'm home!"
"Cough! Cough!.."
"Mama... you should see a doctor..."
"But dear... we don't have money for that..."
"Well... we don't have enough but... you should at least drink a medicine for that..."
"My little boy... I'm so happy and proud of you... but you shouldn't worry yourself to me... I can take care of myself... besides instead of medicine... I'd rather take bread..." the mother smile at the innocence of her son. Her precious little son.
"Mama, i would like to invite my friends here... let's have a little feast I've got 21 bucks today... aren't we lucky?"
"My, my... that's indeed a lot of money today... come call your friend... I'll reheat the soup and prepare the table..."
And that night they celebrate. The young little redheaded boy with his mother and his friends... the four of them sat in the wooden floor of the abandoned building... sharing the few loaves of hard bread though not as mouth-watering, still enough to fill their empty stomach and savoring the taste of the reheated soup the owner of the bakery kind enough to gave him... though not as flavorful, still warmed their tired body through the terrifying cold outside.
Yes, it's Yuletide season and everyone is happy...well... everyone with money or just their family.
END.