The Bishonen of February
Chapter 12
A streaming turkey with stuffing encircling it and elaborate deserts with those little swan shaped napkins. Yue drooled in his sleep, dreaming of the great feast that Nuriko and Hotohori were going to make for Kina. But of course she'd share with him! His eyes opened to see the same white wall that his bed was pulled up against. Filled with anticipation, he made a mad dash for the kitchen.
"Foosh." The sound echoed through the kitchen, not a soul in sight and not a parcel of food around.
"Nooooo..." Yue's head dropped sadly, "Where's the food?" He thought to himself, "Now I remember! The food is for lunch. Ahhhh!"
Something made him stop talking to himself as his entire body froze; someone was walking in the hallway. Tediously, Yue walked and pushed his body against the kitchen wall, peering out to see whom it was.
"Bye-bye Neko and Tama!" Kina leaned down and gave each kitten a kiss on their foreheads.
*Where's she going? Should I stop her?* Yue asked himself but a gut feeling told him not to stop her or even let her know he was there.
Kina stood up and gracefully swung a scarf around her neck, pulled her purse up higher on her shoulder then briskly walked out of the apartment.
Yue couldn't help himself. He had to follow her.
Fresh morning dew was littered across the grass and the cool air nibbled at her ears.
"Good morning Miss! Yes, I'd like one twelve bouquet of pink roses and one twelve bouquet of white roses." Kina paid the woman and gently carried the two large packs of roses in her arms.
Yue pulled his sunglasses further up on his nose. He didn't look too conspicuous, he was only wearing a long black trench coat, and a black hat pulled down low and sunglasses. Quickly, he followed Kina keeping about four or five feet between them.
"What is she doing? This is too strange! And who are those flowers for? Why, if she's two timing me!!! Wait, are we even together though?" Anger flashed for a moment but Yue decided not to jump to conclusions.
"Have you ever gotten the strange sense that someone is stalking you?" Kina asked herself then turned around quickly to see no one behind her.
"Oh-my-gosh! That was close!" Yue's breath went out quickly as he peaked around the corner and continued to follow Kina.
The forest thickened as Kina hastily quickened her step; she knew where she was going. Which was something Yue didn't know. A tiny, dirt pathway led Kina to her destined, but she didn't need the pathway to get there, she knew every step of the way by heart. Kina had walked along this pathway for seven years and she walked them many, many times. And the familiar tune found it's way to Kina's lips. The first time she had come here, she heard an old peddler singing it and it had stayed with her forever. Every step the words flowed into her mind again and again. She always sang it when she was coming here. Then the words softly tumbled out of her mouth.
~*~
Those cold blue eyes I wish to embrace them in this heart This courage lost Remember it once again Hiding in the shadows That follows your back afar Anger, unspeakable sadness Keeping them to oneself... In the dark forests you wander Purple scars At a falling star gleaming in the night Staring Ice Blue Eyes
Those frozen blue eyes
I wish to embrace them in this heart This courage lost Remember it once again The pain of that wound does not cease Just cry it out Warm tears Melt the ice harvest rain I am waiting...
~*~
The cherry blossoms had begun to bloom, as they always did around this time of year. The silken pink petals angelically fluttered towards the ground, being tossed and turned by the wind. Blown this way and that. She was almost there.
Yue hid behind a tree, gently following Kina and listening to the song.
~*~
I ask only for strength Coldness that burns
Throw away the pride, and hate
This time, stop it... A battle, asking for tomorrow I am a fighter, defending love To the heart that flees the darkness But turns don't look back That solitude, anger, scream Let me feel them too Taking back this This true courage once again Melting those frozen blue eyes And wiping off the tears from this heart Warm tears Melt the ice harvest rain I am waiting...
~*~
Soft footfalls echoed through the grove that she had just entered. Two gravestones where in front of her.
"Hi again Mommy and Daddy. I brought you some flowers." Kina gently set down the two bouquets of roses, "How are you two doing? I'm doing fine and dandy as usual. Nuriko and Hotohori are taking good care of me." She began to tell the stones the recent events.
"I understand now." Yue muttered, suddenly felling horribly ashamed for following her and then doubting her intents. If Yue could return to where his family was buried, he would do the same thing as Kina. But that place was far, far away. That song, it, it was him she was singing it for. He flinched as an unfamiliar feeling welled up inside up him and a warm, salty tear fell down his cheek. Yue wiped it and looked at the same droplet of water on his finger. And he felt better strangely, as if a large load that he had been carrying around with him had just been lifted off his shoulders.
"Do you want to know a secret? I think I'm in love. I'm only three years older than Juliet (from Romeo & Juliet.) Actually, since today is my birthday then I am four years older than her." Kina smiled tenderly and looked at one of the roses. "He is a bishonen like you daddy. And he's a fine young man. But mommy, I don't know what to do! My heart is weakening as the days go by. I know the doctor said it was a miracle that I survived these last five years but I never want it to end. It's only been two weeks, but now it seems to go by like a dream. I miss you both. Tell grandmother and grandfather hello for me. John sends his love, even if he objects to how I live. I love you both." Kina opened the wrappings that where around the two bouquets of roses and she mixed the pink and white roses together. After she arranged the mixture of pinks and whites she placed a pile in front of each gravestone, "I've got to be on my way now. Until next time, good-bye! You'll always be here." Kina pointed to her heart and stood up. Spinning around she ran along the dirt pathway, back home. The tears blended in with her sweat as she ran. Kina smiled as the cherry blossoms floated by her, tickling her face as they occasionally hit her.
"I better get home!" Yue jumped into the air but before he left, he pulled out two large silvery-white feathers and placed one by each grave in with the roses. Yue began opening his wings and flew home ahead of Kina so she wouldn't find out he had followed her.
~*~
"Happy Birthday Kina!" Nuriko, Hotohori and Yue all smiled as she walked back inside, taking off her scarf. It was already lunchtime; Kina had been out all morning visiting her parents. Drool began to run down her mouth as the scent of food reached her nose.
"Follow your nose, wherever it goes!" Nuriko laughed.
Kina ran into the kitchen to see the table covered in plates of delicate and delicious food.
"Oh! Nuri! Hori! Thank you! They're all my favorite too!" She jumped and hugged the two bishonen, kissing their cheeks.
"You're welcome! And for desert we'll have fried ice cream!" They both replied in unison, proud at their accomplishment of learning how to make fried ice cream. (After they wasted four buckets of ice cream because when they attempted to make it, they didn't pull the ice cream out fast enough and it melted!)
After finishing saying 'grace' the four eagerly dug into the food. There was a bowl of angel hair pasta, meatballs and garlic bread. In another corner of the table was chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and stuffing. There were noodles and roast beef sandwiches. And of course fried ice cream.
"I have a surprise for you." Yue blushed and smiled widely, he had just finished helping Nuriko and Hotohori washing the dishes. Giggling could be heard coming from the kitchen and soon the two bishonen where splashing each other with sink water.
"What is it? You didn't have to. Like I said before, I don't like to have a big deal done with my birthday."
"Today is the Festival of the Moon. Did you know that? Well, I'm going to take you with me and we're going to have the best time ever!" Yue clapped his hands together, he was so proud of his brilliant idea.
"Thank you so much!" Kina hugged Yue around his neck then skipped off to find a suitable kimono to wear.
"You're lucky, she would normally turn down any kind of invitation. Especially today, she must not want to hurt your feelings." Nuriko chuckled, walking in with drenched hair.
"Nurrrriiii! Get back here and help me wash the table!"
"What is it with you and that stupid table?" Nuriko yelled back through the kitchen doorway.
"It's not stupid, now say you're sorry!"
"No." Nuriko crossed his arms firmly, "I refuse to apologize to a TABLE Hori! It's an inanimate object!"
"If you don't then I won't make you any more of your Nuriko Special drinks!" (Which in this case is a mixture of sodas.)
"Fiiinnee!" Nuriko grumbled a 'I'm sorry!' Then stalked off into the kitchen.
~*~
Kina dug through her drawer until she reached what she had been looking for. Carefully, she pulled out the silk kimono and took a good look at its condition.
"STUUUUUUPID MOTHS!!!" She screamed, glaring at all the holes that where all over the kimono, "It's all ruined! And there are so many holes, I can't fix it!" Kina sulked, then ran outside and batted at a few random moths in anger but then she remembered something.
"THUNK!" The clattering noises resonated throughout the apartment. Kina was digging through the small storage closet for a particular item. She smiled when she found it. Pitter-pattering sounded though the hallway now as Kina ran to her room and set down a wrapped box, gingerly she tore the paper off and opened the lid of the box. Inside it wrapped neatly was her mother's old kimono. She knew her mother had been about her size when she owned the kimono so Kina hoped it would fit.
She spun in front of the mirror and whispered, "Thank you mommy." Kina was dressed in the silk kimono and it was a perfect fit. It was a deep mysterious blue with silver and baby blue flowers sewn over the dark blue in random places. The blue brought out her own blue eyes and made her dark red hair blend in well. The waist wrap-around was luminous silver and the deep blue matched the triangle on Kina's forehead. Slipping on her sandals, Kina did one more check in the mirror, she had her hair pulled back in a small braid that was then twisted back up making it tear-shaped and it was held in place with a exquisitely hand-painted hair clip. It was black and painted in silver with flowers and humming birds all over it. She shimmered with each step; Kina looked like a Moon Goddess.
~*~
Yue pulled at his belt, tightening it so the clothes would stay on. He had on a green colored wrap that had brown bamboo branches printed all over the wrap. It had large sleeves in which his arms hung out of and a dark green belt that held his wrap shut. It was like a large bathrobe but much more fancy and more formal.
~*~
"Now where was I suppose to meet him?" Kina glanced around as she crept near the festival grounds.
"Hey Kina! Over here!"
A voice called to her. She spun around to see Yue walking towards her. Around them cherry trees swayed in the wind, causing the small blossoms to fly all around the two people. He finally caught up to her and proceeded to catch his breath.
"Ready to go?" Yue smiled, he had been leaning down with his hands on his knees but now he stood up straight.
"Yes. Can you believe it, it's been two whole weeks." Kina gently took his hand.
"Yeah, and it's all going by slowly, like syrup, sweet and yummy. I never want it to end."
Kina tensed when Yue said he didn't want it to end, she knew it would have to one day. She shook the thought out of her head quickly and smiled, looking up at him.
"Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Did you know that? I know it's a bit early, but I was wondering, will you be my Valentine?" Kina held out a small box of chocolate for Yue.
He grinned and took the box, "Of course." He replied, squeezing her hand gently. The two walked towards the festival, with cherry blossoms floating all around them like it was all a dream.
Chapter 12
A streaming turkey with stuffing encircling it and elaborate deserts with those little swan shaped napkins. Yue drooled in his sleep, dreaming of the great feast that Nuriko and Hotohori were going to make for Kina. But of course she'd share with him! His eyes opened to see the same white wall that his bed was pulled up against. Filled with anticipation, he made a mad dash for the kitchen.
"Foosh." The sound echoed through the kitchen, not a soul in sight and not a parcel of food around.
"Nooooo..." Yue's head dropped sadly, "Where's the food?" He thought to himself, "Now I remember! The food is for lunch. Ahhhh!"
Something made him stop talking to himself as his entire body froze; someone was walking in the hallway. Tediously, Yue walked and pushed his body against the kitchen wall, peering out to see whom it was.
"Bye-bye Neko and Tama!" Kina leaned down and gave each kitten a kiss on their foreheads.
*Where's she going? Should I stop her?* Yue asked himself but a gut feeling told him not to stop her or even let her know he was there.
Kina stood up and gracefully swung a scarf around her neck, pulled her purse up higher on her shoulder then briskly walked out of the apartment.
Yue couldn't help himself. He had to follow her.
Fresh morning dew was littered across the grass and the cool air nibbled at her ears.
"Good morning Miss! Yes, I'd like one twelve bouquet of pink roses and one twelve bouquet of white roses." Kina paid the woman and gently carried the two large packs of roses in her arms.
Yue pulled his sunglasses further up on his nose. He didn't look too conspicuous, he was only wearing a long black trench coat, and a black hat pulled down low and sunglasses. Quickly, he followed Kina keeping about four or five feet between them.
"What is she doing? This is too strange! And who are those flowers for? Why, if she's two timing me!!! Wait, are we even together though?" Anger flashed for a moment but Yue decided not to jump to conclusions.
"Have you ever gotten the strange sense that someone is stalking you?" Kina asked herself then turned around quickly to see no one behind her.
"Oh-my-gosh! That was close!" Yue's breath went out quickly as he peaked around the corner and continued to follow Kina.
The forest thickened as Kina hastily quickened her step; she knew where she was going. Which was something Yue didn't know. A tiny, dirt pathway led Kina to her destined, but she didn't need the pathway to get there, she knew every step of the way by heart. Kina had walked along this pathway for seven years and she walked them many, many times. And the familiar tune found it's way to Kina's lips. The first time she had come here, she heard an old peddler singing it and it had stayed with her forever. Every step the words flowed into her mind again and again. She always sang it when she was coming here. Then the words softly tumbled out of her mouth.
~*~
Those cold blue eyes I wish to embrace them in this heart This courage lost Remember it once again Hiding in the shadows That follows your back afar Anger, unspeakable sadness Keeping them to oneself... In the dark forests you wander Purple scars At a falling star gleaming in the night Staring Ice Blue Eyes
Those frozen blue eyes
I wish to embrace them in this heart This courage lost Remember it once again The pain of that wound does not cease Just cry it out Warm tears Melt the ice harvest rain I am waiting...
~*~
The cherry blossoms had begun to bloom, as they always did around this time of year. The silken pink petals angelically fluttered towards the ground, being tossed and turned by the wind. Blown this way and that. She was almost there.
Yue hid behind a tree, gently following Kina and listening to the song.
~*~
I ask only for strength Coldness that burns
Throw away the pride, and hate
This time, stop it... A battle, asking for tomorrow I am a fighter, defending love To the heart that flees the darkness But turns don't look back That solitude, anger, scream Let me feel them too Taking back this This true courage once again Melting those frozen blue eyes And wiping off the tears from this heart Warm tears Melt the ice harvest rain I am waiting...
~*~
Soft footfalls echoed through the grove that she had just entered. Two gravestones where in front of her.
"Hi again Mommy and Daddy. I brought you some flowers." Kina gently set down the two bouquets of roses, "How are you two doing? I'm doing fine and dandy as usual. Nuriko and Hotohori are taking good care of me." She began to tell the stones the recent events.
"I understand now." Yue muttered, suddenly felling horribly ashamed for following her and then doubting her intents. If Yue could return to where his family was buried, he would do the same thing as Kina. But that place was far, far away. That song, it, it was him she was singing it for. He flinched as an unfamiliar feeling welled up inside up him and a warm, salty tear fell down his cheek. Yue wiped it and looked at the same droplet of water on his finger. And he felt better strangely, as if a large load that he had been carrying around with him had just been lifted off his shoulders.
"Do you want to know a secret? I think I'm in love. I'm only three years older than Juliet (from Romeo & Juliet.) Actually, since today is my birthday then I am four years older than her." Kina smiled tenderly and looked at one of the roses. "He is a bishonen like you daddy. And he's a fine young man. But mommy, I don't know what to do! My heart is weakening as the days go by. I know the doctor said it was a miracle that I survived these last five years but I never want it to end. It's only been two weeks, but now it seems to go by like a dream. I miss you both. Tell grandmother and grandfather hello for me. John sends his love, even if he objects to how I live. I love you both." Kina opened the wrappings that where around the two bouquets of roses and she mixed the pink and white roses together. After she arranged the mixture of pinks and whites she placed a pile in front of each gravestone, "I've got to be on my way now. Until next time, good-bye! You'll always be here." Kina pointed to her heart and stood up. Spinning around she ran along the dirt pathway, back home. The tears blended in with her sweat as she ran. Kina smiled as the cherry blossoms floated by her, tickling her face as they occasionally hit her.
"I better get home!" Yue jumped into the air but before he left, he pulled out two large silvery-white feathers and placed one by each grave in with the roses. Yue began opening his wings and flew home ahead of Kina so she wouldn't find out he had followed her.
~*~
"Happy Birthday Kina!" Nuriko, Hotohori and Yue all smiled as she walked back inside, taking off her scarf. It was already lunchtime; Kina had been out all morning visiting her parents. Drool began to run down her mouth as the scent of food reached her nose.
"Follow your nose, wherever it goes!" Nuriko laughed.
Kina ran into the kitchen to see the table covered in plates of delicate and delicious food.
"Oh! Nuri! Hori! Thank you! They're all my favorite too!" She jumped and hugged the two bishonen, kissing their cheeks.
"You're welcome! And for desert we'll have fried ice cream!" They both replied in unison, proud at their accomplishment of learning how to make fried ice cream. (After they wasted four buckets of ice cream because when they attempted to make it, they didn't pull the ice cream out fast enough and it melted!)
After finishing saying 'grace' the four eagerly dug into the food. There was a bowl of angel hair pasta, meatballs and garlic bread. In another corner of the table was chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and stuffing. There were noodles and roast beef sandwiches. And of course fried ice cream.
"I have a surprise for you." Yue blushed and smiled widely, he had just finished helping Nuriko and Hotohori washing the dishes. Giggling could be heard coming from the kitchen and soon the two bishonen where splashing each other with sink water.
"What is it? You didn't have to. Like I said before, I don't like to have a big deal done with my birthday."
"Today is the Festival of the Moon. Did you know that? Well, I'm going to take you with me and we're going to have the best time ever!" Yue clapped his hands together, he was so proud of his brilliant idea.
"Thank you so much!" Kina hugged Yue around his neck then skipped off to find a suitable kimono to wear.
"You're lucky, she would normally turn down any kind of invitation. Especially today, she must not want to hurt your feelings." Nuriko chuckled, walking in with drenched hair.
"Nurrrriiii! Get back here and help me wash the table!"
"What is it with you and that stupid table?" Nuriko yelled back through the kitchen doorway.
"It's not stupid, now say you're sorry!"
"No." Nuriko crossed his arms firmly, "I refuse to apologize to a TABLE Hori! It's an inanimate object!"
"If you don't then I won't make you any more of your Nuriko Special drinks!" (Which in this case is a mixture of sodas.)
"Fiiinnee!" Nuriko grumbled a 'I'm sorry!' Then stalked off into the kitchen.
~*~
Kina dug through her drawer until she reached what she had been looking for. Carefully, she pulled out the silk kimono and took a good look at its condition.
"STUUUUUUPID MOTHS!!!" She screamed, glaring at all the holes that where all over the kimono, "It's all ruined! And there are so many holes, I can't fix it!" Kina sulked, then ran outside and batted at a few random moths in anger but then she remembered something.
"THUNK!" The clattering noises resonated throughout the apartment. Kina was digging through the small storage closet for a particular item. She smiled when she found it. Pitter-pattering sounded though the hallway now as Kina ran to her room and set down a wrapped box, gingerly she tore the paper off and opened the lid of the box. Inside it wrapped neatly was her mother's old kimono. She knew her mother had been about her size when she owned the kimono so Kina hoped it would fit.
She spun in front of the mirror and whispered, "Thank you mommy." Kina was dressed in the silk kimono and it was a perfect fit. It was a deep mysterious blue with silver and baby blue flowers sewn over the dark blue in random places. The blue brought out her own blue eyes and made her dark red hair blend in well. The waist wrap-around was luminous silver and the deep blue matched the triangle on Kina's forehead. Slipping on her sandals, Kina did one more check in the mirror, she had her hair pulled back in a small braid that was then twisted back up making it tear-shaped and it was held in place with a exquisitely hand-painted hair clip. It was black and painted in silver with flowers and humming birds all over it. She shimmered with each step; Kina looked like a Moon Goddess.
~*~
Yue pulled at his belt, tightening it so the clothes would stay on. He had on a green colored wrap that had brown bamboo branches printed all over the wrap. It had large sleeves in which his arms hung out of and a dark green belt that held his wrap shut. It was like a large bathrobe but much more fancy and more formal.
~*~
"Now where was I suppose to meet him?" Kina glanced around as she crept near the festival grounds.
"Hey Kina! Over here!"
A voice called to her. She spun around to see Yue walking towards her. Around them cherry trees swayed in the wind, causing the small blossoms to fly all around the two people. He finally caught up to her and proceeded to catch his breath.
"Ready to go?" Yue smiled, he had been leaning down with his hands on his knees but now he stood up straight.
"Yes. Can you believe it, it's been two whole weeks." Kina gently took his hand.
"Yeah, and it's all going by slowly, like syrup, sweet and yummy. I never want it to end."
Kina tensed when Yue said he didn't want it to end, she knew it would have to one day. She shook the thought out of her head quickly and smiled, looking up at him.
"Tomorrow is Valentine's Day. Did you know that? I know it's a bit early, but I was wondering, will you be my Valentine?" Kina held out a small box of chocolate for Yue.
He grinned and took the box, "Of course." He replied, squeezing her hand gently. The two walked towards the festival, with cherry blossoms floating all around them like it was all a dream.