Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own YuYuHakusho
Chapter Fourteen: Yukimura Flower Shop
June 17
Kamio's was bustling because of the corporate meeting going on in one of the three private rooms.
With a smile Rick was serving up orders and sending waiters back out with the food prepared precisely as asked for.
"If he had to choose between money and a kitchen, the money would feel the cold of not being wanted." Kiyu commented with a laugh.
Rune smile too. "Your brother is always happy when he's in a kitchen."
"Any girl would be crazy not to want him. He's the ultimate cook."
"Hey." Rune playfully pushed her with his side.
"Um excuse me, Kiyu do these look alright?" Ana asked from behind.
For two weeks Kiyu had Masaki and Ana on trial runs with pay, thanks to Ricky. Masaki was on dishwashing duty and sometimes he waitered. Ana was to prepare desserts and also waitered.
Ricky dried his hands and picked up the ringing phone. "Kamio's Restaurant, Rick speaking."
"They look delicious Ana. Good job." Kiyu smiled at her.
"Alright, thank you." Ricky hung up and walked over to his sister. Rune and Ana pretended not to listen. "Remember the wedding I told you about?"
"Sure. The people wanted their party thrown here."
"Well little sister of mine..."
Kiyu rolled her eyes. "Oh boy, a favor."
"More of a demand." Rick chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyway that was Keiko Yukimura, she says that the flowers are in; if you want to go get them for me."
"Of course. Anything for my big brother." She held out her hand. He looked at her with a questioning look. She smiled. "I'll need money to pay for them."
/You said you loved me. Promised me forever. Then suddenly your gone, never to come back. Every day, every week, ever year, I think of you. I imagine you coming back./ Soft brown eyes gazed out the small window near the register of Yukimura Flower Shop. /I use to write letters, like a small diary, to you for the first couple of years. Then I traveled abroad for a year and ever since I haven't had the nerve to write you again./ She sighed. /I just send you thought messages. Not that you get them. I have out our last picture together. I even admit that I brought out the shirt you wore the day before you left, the other day. I never could wash it because of your smell; though it's much faded now./ A sad smile played on her lips. /There's a frequent guy who goes into dad's shop. A couple of months ago he ask permission to take me out. Dad kindly apologized to him for me. He knows how I feel. How I'll always feel. Sometimes it makes me wonder if I'll die still waiting for you to come. Will that be case?/
The bell above the door announced visitors.
"Oh wow. It smells so pretty in here." Ana commented. She wanted to tag along. "My father always orders flowers from here online. He's never brought us here though."
"How nice. Keiko's flowers are the prettiest." Kiyu smiled at her. "Why don't you take a look around while I talk with Keiko?"
"Really?" Ana smiled and walked away.
Kiyu glanced at the counters as she walk up to the counter. "Hey Keiko."
Keiko slowly turned her head, blinking. "Oh hello Kiyu. I didn't know you were here. How long have you been standing there?"
"Well between the last order coming in...and the new one..."
Keiko smiled. "Just got here then."
"Yea." Kiyu nodded. "About right."
"The flowers are in the back in the fridge. They're really pretty and much too expensive." Keiko noted. "I would have done them for half the price."
"You're always so generous Keiko." Kiyu grinned. "How much do I owe you?"
"Oh now, Kiyu you know I do weddings free." Keiko walked to the back with her.
"I know. Still I'd like to give something."
"Then put it in the 'tips' jar." Keiko pointed to the group of bouques. "There they are. Aren't they lovely?"
Kiyu gasped. "Oh my."
"I know. They're from the groom's company."
Kiyu pulled one of the vases out. "They smell wonderful; given with love." She put it back. "He must be a valuable worker."
"Yes. Valuable indeed." Keiko answered slowly. She shook her head of wondering thoughts. "Here why don't we get these packaged and ready for travel, hm?"
"Your the boss."
Ana walked slowly around. Every flower was with a pair or more. None were singled. She thought it different. At other shops, flowers were sometimes sold individually.
"They'll be so pretty around the private room. A lot of the smaller buds match some of the decor." Kiyu commented as Keiko, her, and some workers came from the back with packed flowers in their hands.
"I bet."
Kiyu told the workers to put the flowers in the back of the van. She turned to Keiko. "You should come and help Keiko. You're wonderful at it. And it will get you from this shop for once."
She was going to say something but another person interupted.
"This shop is amazing Kiyu." Ana comment, still gazing around.
Keiko looked at Kiyu then at the child. "Thank you."
Ana stopped herself. She bowed. "Forgive me. I didn't know you were talking."
"Oh it's alright." Kiyu chuckled. "Keiko this is Ana Minamino. She's one of the new recriuts at Ricky's."
/Minamino?/ Keiko put on a smile. "Hello."
"Ms. Yukimura I've been looking around and noticed that all the flowers are in two's or more. I haven't seen a flower shop do that before."
"No, of course not. I think all things should be together at some point. It makes them less alone."
Ana nodded. "I can see now why my dad always buys his flowers from here." She turned toward the two. "Your flowers are grown with your love. They just glow."
"That's the best compliment someone has ever given. Thank you Ana." Keiko smiled. Her chocolate brown eyes drifting away to a past memory.