Love Picked Petals

Sesshy's Mistress

Summary: Each flower held it's own meaning, just like the men they represented. A Side Series of one-shots to my story, Disturbia. WK/SM

Disclaimer: I do not own either series or the characters therein, just the crazy ideas…


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Lilac Polyanthus – Confidence

It was never a good idea to leave him in charge of the store. It should be obvious considering his long history of breaking things. Yet, for some odd reason, everyone else, including Omi, had something to do. This left Ken alone to man the shop, and considering it was a holiday, they would be especially busy. Maybe not busy with deliveries, but busy with school girls trying to gain his attention.

Ken sighed as he opened the doors to the shop. It was early in the morning, thankfully, and the school girl rush wouldn't happen until later in the day. He really wished he could just lock the doors and tell the others that no one had shown up… or called…. Yeah!

Like Aya would believe that!

Resigning himself to the fact that today would be hectic, Ken moved to set up the outside displays. He pushed the rolling display to the outside and accidentally bumped it against the glass pain of the store. He held his breath as he watched a few of the potted plants tilt back and forth from the impact, but sighed in relief when nothing fell.

Man, that was a close call! He grinned and turned to head back inside, but in his elation, failed to notice a girl that had appeared. She was right behind him, and by the time he realized what was happening, it was too late. The two of them were falling from the impact, her from the sudden jar, and he from being thrown off balance.

The girl cried out in shock, but Ken, with his assassin skills, easily wrapped his arms around her and rolled so that it was he that took the brunt force of the fall. The girl fell atop of him, and he let out a rush of air as her elbow found his gut.

"I'm so sorry," The girl's panicked voice whispered over and over. Once Ken had regained his breath, he opened his eyes to find a blanket of gold over his face. He moved the blanket of golden, silky locks to see two wide blue eyes looking at him in worry. "Are you okay?"

Ken felt the blood rush to his face, mirroring hers, as he realized their position. His heart beat rapidly in his chest, and his breathing hitched. One word rang through his mind. Beautiful.

"Uh…" Ken gracefully replied while sliding his hands to her sides and helping her to move. That action seemed to draw her attention to their position, and her face turned redder than the roses Ken had planned to place outside next. He chuckled softly as the girl scrambled to get off of him. "Yeah, I'm okay." He took her offered hand, and when their skin touched, a shock ran through his system.

For a while, they stood in awkward silence. "I'm sorry again." The girl mumbled an apology. Her gaze was glued to the ground. Her blush had yet to fade, and Ken found it quite adorable. "I was on my way to meet a friend and noticed you were opening shop. Normally it's so busy, and I just wanted to take a quick peek at your selection before the rush came."

Ken sweat dropped at the mention of the stores rush hour. "They're just school girls," He laughed softly. "They like to come and watch my co-workers."

"Really?" The girl grinned. "Sounds like my friend and I when we were in high school."

"Heh," Ken lifted his hand to scratch the back of his neck. She had such wide blue eyes, and they were mesmerizing. "Yeah, they're harmless for the most part. Anyway, I'm just opening up, but feel free to look inside."

"Okay, thanks," She smiled and moved through the open double doors. Ken followed her and went to grab the next outdoor display. He couldn't help but keep an eye on the girl. She was so beautiful, but there was an air of despair encircling her. It reminded him of himself and his co-workers. Maybe that was the reason he had been able to pick up on it.

"Shit," Ken cursed as he ran the next display into the doorway. This time one pot did fall over, and the sound of crashing clay filled the room. The girl turned and eyed the mess before rushing over to help Ken clean it up.

"It's okay, I got it," Ken spoke as he kneeled down and started grabbing the big chunks. "Don't worry about this, you'll get dirt all over you."

"So?" The girl smiled softly. "A little dirt never hurt anyone." She was grabbing several of the pieces next to her. "Besides, I'm a bit of a klutz and break things all the time. Even when I'm not touching things, stuff breaks. So, this is probably my fault." She grinned and Ken blushed. Did she know he had been staring at her?

The two reached for the last few remaining pieces, and their hands brushed against each other's. Ken jumped at the spark that ran through his system once more. What was it about her that caused this reaction? Did she feel it too? From first glance, it didn't appear so.

"Thanks," Ken spoke as he grabbed the last piece and stood. She followed suit and walked with him to the trash can where they dumped the broken pieces. "So, before that, did you see anything you liked?" He wanted a change of subject.

"Yeah," She smiled. "But I'll have to come back another day. I didn't bring any money with me."

"Okay," Ken spoke softly. "Just come by anytime, even if it looks like we're crowded. I promise, the girls are pretty much harmless."

"Will do," She waved at him as she walked outside. Ken watched her go for a moment before he snapped back to attention and continued with setting up the outside displays. As he slid the next one into place, he heard the roar of a motorcycle and turned his head in the direction it came from. His eyes widened as he watched the blonde girl done a helmet before tearing off towards the Jr. High school.

For the next few days, Ken had found himself quite anxious. Every time he saw a head of blonde hair, he would stop to see if it was her. He couldn't help it, and he honestly didn't know what was coming over him. It definitely was not normal behavior for him. The other guys had begun to notice, and Youji had started picking on him about it.

Ken ignored it for the most part. Yet, when two weeks went by, Ken was about ready to give up on seeing the girl again. Maybe she had forgotten to come back. He didn't have much time to think on it, though, because he had a game to go to. Bidding his companions goodbye, Ken jumped on his bike and headed to the soccer field.

It was a beautiful day for a game, and Ken couldn't help but cheer on his team. He coached several levels of soccer, and today his Jr. High kids were playing for their right to head to the championship. The energy coming from them had Ken's blood rushing. It was times like these that Ken loved the most. He couldn't play the sport he loved so much any longer, but this was the next best thing.

Especially when his team won!

"Great game guys!" Ken cheered as his boys came rushing back from the field. He gave them all a high five and urged them to drink some water before they left to find their families.

"You did great out there, Tsukino," Ken grinned at his latest addition to the team. The boy had come into the season a bit late, but when Ken's main goalie had to drop the team for medical reasons, Tsukino had stepped up to the challenge.

"Thanks, coach!" Sammy grinned after chugging down some water. He wiped his mouth off on his sleeve before turning to look over the crowd. "'Sagi!" He hollered and waved. Ken followed the kid's line of sight and his breath caught as he found the girl from the flower shop.

"I'm so proud of you!" The girl squealed in delight. She rushed over and embraced the boy in a giant hug, picking him up off the ground. "I knew you could do it, brat!" She ruffled his hair and smiled at the boy.

"Hey," Ken interrupted, catching both of their attentions. Recognition lit in the girl's features and she smiled.

"Hey again," She stuck out her hand for him to take. "I'm Tsukino Usagi."

"Hidaka Ken," He grinned and this time the shock was expected. "It's good seeing you again. I was beginning to worry when you never showed back up for those flowers." As soon as he said that, Ken regretted it. He sounded like such a creeper just then!

"Flowers?" Sammy questioned his sister. "What flowers?"

"I was just going to pick up some flowers for a friend," Usagi assured him. "Why don't you go and get cleaned up, and then we'll go for a ride."

"Did you bring the bike?" Sammy asked in excitement. "Can I drive?" He questioned when Usagi confirmed that she'd rode in on her motorcycle.

"No," Her answer made Sammy deflate. "But, we can go get some ice cream if you want."

"Yeah!" He cheered before running off to get his stuff and clean up. He and the others had worked up a sweat, and to be honest, he did stink.

"Want to come with?" Usagi invited, and Ken nodded. He would enjoy getting to know her more, but first…

"Did I say something wrong a minute ago?" He'd noticed the change that his question regarding the flowers had brought. He hoped that he had not said something to cause any duress between the two Tsukinos.

"No," Usagi sighed. "Sammy is just a little sensitive about the issue. The flowers would have been for our parents," She admitted. At his questioning look, she continued. "They passed away two years ago.

"I'm so sorry," Ken spoke gently. He was beyond embarrassed to bring up such a troubling topic for the two of them.

"You didn't know, so it's okay," She smiled at him in assurance. "Death isn't a stranger to me," She sighed, and it was then that the sadness came out full force. It was the same sadness that he had noted. "I lost my friends and fiancé three years ago, too."

"I'm sorry," he didn't know what else to say, and an awkward silence fell over them.

"I'm ready," Sammy spoke as he came running up to them. "Is it okay if a few friends come with?" He looked so excited, that she just couldn't tell him no. Pasting on a grin for his sake, she ushered him to her motorcycle after giving her consent for the post-game ice cream party.

Ken followed behind them and he couldn't help the admiration he felt for her as he watched her mount the bike with a confidence that surprised him. Once she made sure Sammy had on his helmet and was holding onto her securely, she put on her own helmet, waved to Ken, and started her bike.

Ken rushed to his own bike and started it, quickly driving off to catch up with her. He grinned as the two of them raced towards the ice cream parlor. She really knew how to handle her bike. The three of them were the first to arrive, and as Usagi and Ken dismounted, he couldn't help but to question where she got her ride.

"It belonged to my fiancé," Usagi stated while running a hand through her hair. "He left it to me," She smiled softly as she put down her helmet and moved towards the parlor. "You coming?" Sammy had already rushed inside to find a table big enough to hold him and his friends.

"Yeah," Ken took a seat next to her at the table Sammy had picked out. The younger boy was now eagerly looking at all the flavors available to him as he waited for his friends to arrive. "I don't want to pry, but how do you do it?" Ken questioned.

"Do what?" Usagi wasn't sure what he meant.

"Take care of him, take care of yourself, and—"

"Not be consumed with grief?" Her smile didn't reach her eyes. "I'm not quite sure of that myself. To be honest, I do what I think they would want me to do. My friends and family wouldn't want me to wallow in grief and self pity. They would want me to live and do what I could for others. Kinda like you're doing right now."

"What?" Ken blushed.

"I recognize the sadness that lingers behind your eyes. As much as I try, sometimes it does still hurt, but I try not to let that consume me," She placed a hand over hers. "You remind me a lot of myself, honestly."

"You getting anything?" Shingo hollered from the counter where he and his friends were gathered. Usagi smiled and nodded before standing.

"Do you want some?" Usagi questioned Ken who nodded.

"Yeah," He stood and walked with her to the counter. Most of the kids had their treats already, and the two took a moment to stare at the options. "What are you going to get?"

"Rocky Road," Usagi answered immediately for both Ken and the person behind the counter waiting on her. "What about you?"

"The same," He smiled at her. When it came time to pay, Ken beat her to it, and pulled out his wallet to cover everyone that had come. Usagi tried to argue, but he would hear nothing of it. "Take it as a thank you."

"For what?" She questioned in confusion.

"It's not every day I meet someone so confident and strong like you," He answered honestly and she blushed. He smiled down at her while the two walked back towards the table full of chattering kids. "Never change, no matter what happens, please," Ken whispered to her after they took their seats.

"Only if you do the same," Usagi bargained. The two grinned and nodded before digging into their ice cream.


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Yeah, I'm not happy with it, but oh well!

One more to go!

RxR