Clusters of Crocus
Purple and Gold
Blankets of Pansies
Up from the cold
The scene played out behind his eyelids, much too rapidly for his liking, disappearing as its subject did. Hisana danced among the cherry blossoms, freed from all expectation, in the purest form he had always wanted her to live in. Her dress that day was coincidentally the same color as the flowers that flew through the air like so many shreds of confetti and they blended easily into the fabric as they fell onto her frail shoulders.
She turned back to him, smiling fit to shatter into peals of laughter at the drop of a hat. When he didn't immediately fly to her side she skipped back along the stone path and wrapped herself tightly against his suit jacket sleeve. Weaving her thin arms completely around one of his she managed to begin the forward motion that soon sent him tripping forward and strolling awkwardly alongside.
The eyes of his grandparents may have failed to touch on her shoulders in this moment but they still sat entrenched on the dips of his. It was a problem Hisana would soon fix. The day was much too rare, much too impossible for her husband to recognize it as anything but.
Lilies and Iris
Safe from the chill
Safe in my garden
Snowdrops so still
She continued to pull him down the path. As they turned a rapid corner, slipping on the fallen petals and falling childishly into each other, a small circular section of earth opened up in front of them, the largest tree of all growing at its center.
He shaded his eyes and took a chance to look up and obligingly the wind swept a whole slew of miniature origami shapes taking wing into his sight. His lips opened against his will and for a single second he so lost himself that his feet didn't even touch the ground anymore.
As he made to move closer to the magical phenomenon his footing gave way against the small fence of smooth rocks that marked the tree's place. He fell and twisted around to break his fall, accidentally pulling his young wife down on top of him. The soil was so soft he barely even felt the impact and Hisana was no worse to be lying contentedly on her husband's chest.
She propped herself up on her elbows and smiled gently at him, as though this had been some sort of premeditated act of affection on his part that charmed the edges of her lips. He reached up and ran his index finger down the soft skin of her cheek. She closed her eyes joyfully and nuzzled into his hand. The angelic expression on her face melted off the last societal pressures that had been weighing him down.
He set his hands gently on her delicate waist then turned her over slightly so they could both have an uninterrupted view of the magnificent tree. She giggled lightly as the hands he folded across her stomach brushed her ticklish ribs. The movement vibrated lightly through his chest and he found the corners of his mouth stretching, creating that barely existent smile that was reserved only for his wife.
She set her hands over his then turned her head to the tree above. There were no words spoken but he knew she was feeling comfortable, smug, and warm just as he was awed, pleased, and very deeply in love.
Ah
A'o jadu ke mausam
A'o garmiyo ke din
A'o mantra tantra yantra
Us ki bimari hata'o
Rukia bounced up the stairs slowly. Her countenance was joyful but her feet were weak. It had been quite the night of dancing and talking and all around spinning past the gossamer trains of expensive dresses.
Her mother, Lisa Rensio, set a hand on Rukia's back, leading her the rest of the way down the hall to her room. Her father Hafu was waiting by the door, pressing it inward in that funny way of his with both hands. He exaggerated his first step forward, letting his leg dangle in midair.
Rukia giggled slightly then it turned into a yawn and her mother pressed her forward again, towards her bed. As she passed her dresser Rukia picked up her favorite doll then climbed into bed hugging it tight to her chest. Her parents smiled happily down at their precious little girl all curled up in her comforter. The party downstairs had passed into the kind of time accessible only to adults.
They took turns pressing butterfly kisses to her forehead and fluffing her pillows then with two last "I love you"s they left to return to the party. Rukia fell quickly into a deep sleep, a smile frozen on her face.
Mistress Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
Not so well she said
See the Lily's dead
Pull it up and out you go
Lisa was waved over by her best friend the minute she descended the stairs. Pressing a rapid kiss to the lips of her husband she waved him farewell. Her friend enveloped Lisa in a tight embrace. The two women took a moment to catch up and greet their companions then the red panels of her friend's dress whipped back and forth as she snagged a drink from a passing server and handed Lisa her own drink. Lisa accepted graciously and the group toasted the party and its hosts.
Mistress Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
Far too hot she cried
See my Rose has died
Dig it up and up we go
The party continued for another couple of hours and Lisa changed groups multiple times. She even passed her charismatic husband as she moved, snagging a quick dance and a "love you Hafu" before getting called away. The time was nearing one in the morning when a servant approached Lisa. He pulled her aside and whispered the news in her ear.
"Pardon me Madame but the Hadershines wanted to let you know that they were feeling slightly ill and are now resting in the side room." Lisa brought a hand to her mouth.
"Oh dear. I hope it is not serious. Keep me updated. Thank you."
She rejoined the group, her smile a bit more forced. A different friend in from out of town entered the group and quickly downed quite a few shots. When Lisa deigned to politely comment on it the man responded that he was oh so dreadfully parched.
The groups of people began to thin as many decided to stay the night and retired early to their rooms. Many of them. It was unusual how their friends seemed to suddenly value their rest when every party beforehand had had them shaking the dance floor until the sun was almost at its height.
When the ballroom was completely clear Lisa spotted her husband across the floor. She swept an exhausted hand across her forehead and reached out a hand for him, silently offering the last dance of the night to him.
He swept forward, breathing harshly. Nevertheless he wrapped his hand around her waist and began to lead her around to unheard music. They danced for endless minutes, as lost in each other's eyes as the first time they had met.
Then Lisa lifted her hand off Hafu's shoulder to cough into it. Her throat felt constricted. She stumbled into the next turn and Hafu recovered for her but much slower than he would have. His own face looked pale and exhausted.
Lisa felt a ringing begin in her ears and her feet slipped again. Hafu tried so hard to catch her that he brought himself down with her. Their bodies clattered onto the center of the floor, the sunrise rays stretching out in the design as so many rivers of tears. The contact seemed to shake the house to its foundations but the only one alive to appreciate it was Rukia who stirred vainly in her sleep then snuggled back into the warmth of the thick sheets.
Mistress Mary quite contrary
How does your garden grow?
Had an early frost
Now it's gone
It's lost
Dig it up
You're out, you're up
You're out, you're up
And out you go
Author's note: I feel like a terrible person now. I put my dears through so much pain. This is for International Fanworks Day and Valentine's Day. I felt this musical fit the lives of Hisana, Byakuya, and Rukia a bit too well to not be written. Please R&R.