Roses and Thorns
Ok, for the record, I think that roses in general, and rose centered stories (such as the one you're about to read) are highly overrated. Roses are pretty enough, but they're used for everything from secret admirers, to apologies, to sympathies; I'm not sure they really mean much anymore. I mean any guy could go out and buy his girl roses, any other flower would require at least a little thought. But this just kinda settled itself into my mind and the only way to get it to leave me alone is to show it to all of you! Regardless, leave me a review because I want to know what you think.
"Oh, Yukina, it's absolutely beautiful!" Botan exclaimed in a soft admiring voice as she dropped to her knees beside the ice apparition already seated on the temple floor. A soft wistful smile settled on her lips as she brushed a few blue threads that had escaped her high ponytail throughout the day behind her ear. Amethyst eyes sparkled with the excitement she felt for her friend. "Kuwabara gave this to you?"
Yukina nodded slightly, soft green bangs bobbing just enough to appear blown by a silent breeze, crimson eyes never leaving her gift. Clutched delicately between her pale fingers was large carnation. Its stem was long and crisp as if it had been freshly picked, but not torn showing just how carefully it had been handled. It had a single deep green leaf contrasting perfectly with the beautiful blossom. The icy blue petals were soft and full, almost as if they had been taken right out of a painting.
"Just before you came," she answered, voice soft, as though she were afraid if she spoke too loudly her precious gift would shatter. "Though, he did say that by all rights it should have been a rose, but carnations are almost as pretty and they won't hurt me." Rubies polished with curiosity finally tore themselves away from the flower as she gazed at her friend. "What did he mean?"
Botan looked thoughtful for a moment as she tried to decipher the meaning of the sentence. "I think," she said slowly, "That he was referring to roses, a long time symbol of love, and their thorns."
Yukina's curious eyes became shadowed with confusion. "Yes," Botan giggled as she nodded energetically, proud that she had solved the puzzle. "A rose is the perfect symbol for love because love, beautiful as it is, can be dangerous and painful. And even the prettiest rose has its thorns."
Yukina nodded in understanding, soft red eyes returning to the lovely blossom before slowly closing in innocent pleasure as she inhaled deeply, memorizing its subtle aroma. A blissful smile appeared on her face as one pale finger made its way across each petal gently, as if it were made of glass.
Botan's excited expression became one of quiet joy as she turned to leave her friend to her thoughts. A slight shadow caught her attention briefly, but she dismissed it knowing that Hiei guarded any room that held his sister.
Her smile fell to curiosity as amethyst met garnet in the poorly lit hall.
Hiei stood just in front of her, but the closeness seemed to be the only anomaly. As always, his face was void of even the smallest emotion and his blood red eyes were cold as he stared at her. "Hiei?"
And then he was gone, leaving silently as if he had simply been swallowed by the night.
It wasn't a sweet or romantic moment; it might not have even been a moment in the common translation of the phrase, but, as Botan kneeled down, a dreamy gasp escaped her lips. Pink eyes shimmered, joyful tears sliding down her face, as her fingers reached out carefully, hardly daring to touch something so beautiful.
Lying in front of her, where Hiei had stood mere moments before, was a single black rose, stem naked of even the smallest thorn.