Thanks for all the reviews, so now I'm not going to discontinue the story. But that doesn't mean you could stop giving reviews. Thanks. The spring section of this story is finally starting. (about making the chocolate, that's totally made up. I've never made desert.)
Seasons Spring
February
The dry and empty branches a few weeks ago had become full of life, its branches now covered with fresh green buds of sakura, waiting for the right time to come when it would open. The smell of spring, of newly grown grass and freshly budded flowers wafted in the warm breeze. The wind then intertwined the scent into everyone's heart.
It was still too early for the flowers to bloom. Everywhere was green, different shades and variations, lying on top of each other. Normally it was red that represented love, but why did Valentine's Day fall on such a green season? Did it mean that the love people think they have in them were only weak and immature as the tender green, or that love still had a long way to go? Anyway, no body seemed to notice, and continued wallowing in what they supposed was love.
He walked through the school, hoping form some peace and quiet, but unfortunately, that was quiet impossible. Why? Today the February 14th, so everywhere he went, it aroused a commotion of girls squeaking. He could feel the smile he usually kept pasted on his face start to crack and fall off.
Another wash of the gentle wind brought along the faint scent of roses. It wasn't the time for roses to bloom, but somehow roses seemed to be blooming everywhere in the world if you cared enough to look. It was a nice and sweet change from the vast stretch of green that you see. The red flower always reminded people of whom they love.
Finally, he reached his locker, but one look at it gave him an incredible headache. Red and pink Valentine cards stuck out form every little gap possible, and the floor beside was flooded with pink confetti. Now he didn't want to get anywhere near his locker, but he had to get his books. And it was only the first period.
Once he took off the lock, the door burst open and cards came piling down on him. He took a painful amount of time to stuff them back, and miraculously, wasn't late for class.
Love was in the air, but whether it was a good thing, no one could be sure.
By the end of school, Kurama was sure his head would burst soon. All the cards were in his bag, and the chocolates he received were sure to weigh more than an elephant when added together, and he had to carry them all back home. He just couldn't bear to disappoint them all. But at least they could make way to let him get out of the school! He gave a huge sign of frustration inwardly while he smiled and said tons of 'thank you' as the chocolates grew heavier and heavier.
Just then, he spotted Yusuke and Kuwabara, and called out to them. As they approached, the girls slowly dispersed, afraid of the top gangsters in the whole neighbourhood. That was the only thing they were good for.
"Wow! Kurama, you are so popular," Yusuke said as his eyes bugged out upon seeing the chocolates, "I only received one box form Keiko, and honestly, she doesn't cook that well. Maybe just chocolates."
"Better than me, Urameshi. But I'm sure I would receive a box if Yukina-san knows what chocolates are and what they stand for," Kuwabara signed, trying to sound confident.
"Don't get your hopes up high. Maybe you won't even live to the day she knows about those stuff," a cold voice came from a tree, and Kurama's eyes lit up. Hiei was in front of them the next second.
"Here, Yusuke, Kuwabara, you can have as much chocolate as you want. I can't eat so much myself," Kurama quickly changed the topic as he saw that a fight was about to erupt. Luckily, the two teenagers took half of the chocolates and left. Too bad they didn't take all of them.
"Hiei, can you come to my house for a while? I have something to give you." Ever since the day they planted the seed, Hiei had been visiting Kurama more often, sometimes through the window and sometimes through the door. His mother knew about this 'friend' (that's what they told her, and what that appeared on the surface) and welcomed him gladly.
Hiei didn't reply, instead, he picked up the rest of the chocolates and headed towards Kurama's house.
"What are in these boxes?" Hiei asked as he dumped his burden onto Kurama's bed.
"Oh, they're just chocolates." Kurama explained, but catching the confused look in Hiei's eyes, he tried again, as if talking to a three year old. "It's something sweet that you can eat, and people give them on this particular day to show their admiration towards the receiver. You can try some. They taste rather good."
Hiei eyed the boxes carefully, and after making sure they did not have a bomb attached, he tore open a box and stared at the chocolates for a while, before cautiously putting one in his mouth.
Kurama observed, and he could see that Hiei was addicted to chocolates immediately. He had the same expression when he ate his first spoonful of ice cream. Looks like Hiei had a sweet tooth. Kurama giggled.
"What are you laughing at, fox?" He shot his head up and glared at Kurama.
"You seem to like chocolates. Go ahead and eat to your heart's content," he said, but Hiei was no longer paying attention to him, and was rather busy tearing open the next box. Kurama grinned and brought all the Valentine cards downstairs to his mother. She always liked to keep these things, saying that it was a pity to throw them.
When he came up again, Hiei was already through with half the amount of chocolates. Because of the distractions, the fire demon failed to notice what Kurama brought up with him. The latter just sat there and followed Hiei's every move with his eyes. Sometimes, he's content just with watching. Sometimes not.
He waited until Hiei finished all the chocolates, but from the tiny frown he had, Kurama knew that he still wasn't full, which in this case was good. He took out the delicately decorated box he kept hiding behind his back and waved it in front of Hiei's face. "You still want some more? You'll get fat, you know," he teased.
Hiei glared at him, than snatched the box away. "You made this yourself?"
"Yes, and you are my first guinea pig." Kurama tried hard to sound casual and keep his smile anon his face, when in fact, he could feel his stomach trying to tie a knot. His fingers twitched, wanting desperately to clutch onto something, but he suppressed them. It would show how nervous he was. He stole a glance at Hiei through the corner of his eyes, and saw him carefully pulling the red ribbons off. Kurama quickly reverted his gaze back to his hands.
Hiei opened the box, and saw three neat rows of white chocolate lying in there. They were shaped like roses, not some vague shape, but really looked like a real one. Kurama could have easily passed them off as white roses. It seemed that each petal was made individually, and then combined together to form the flower, so each rose looked different.
He almost couldn't bear to eat them, but that would be disrespectful. He gently plucked off one of the petals and put it into his mouth. The petal was thin enough, but once it was in his mouth, the chocolate melted immediately and there was even a filling in it. The taste of roses soon covered over all his senses, and even the unique aroma of the chocolate was overpowered. He opened his eyes slowly, once the fragrance had faded a little, and saw Kurama staring at him expectantly.
"Did you try this yourself, fox?" Hiei asked while pretending to be a bit angry.
Kurama shook his head sheepishly, and said, "No, I didn't dare to. I was afraid that . . .Dose it taste that bad? I'm really sorry, I'll --- Before he could finish, Hiei popped one of the petals into his mouth.
"Just how much time did you spent on making this?" Hiei said exasperated, "You should have been doing other things, and not wasting so much time to make chocolates for me." Now Kurama understood, and smiled with relief.
"Nah, it's worth it. Anyway, it wasn't so hard to make, and didn't take a long time at all."
Hiei raise an eyebrow and stared at him. "You think I'll believe that?"
"Really, it's simple. First, you collect lots of rose petals, then soak them into a jar full of sugar water, seal it, and leave it there for four weeks. After four weeks, you take all the petals out, and then pour the solution out to heat it, until it turns into caramel. If the rose taste is still not enough, add some rose essence. As for the chocolate . . ." Hiei stared wide eyes, as Kurama continued going on and on about how to make the chocolates.
"Next time, remind me to change the definition for 'simple'." Hiei shook his head and ate another petal. The taste of roses overwhelmed him, and he flopped down onto the bed and closed him eyes to enjoy the flavour. Kurama's soft voice kept ringing in his ears, talking about nothing in particular, but it soothed him. It felt so nice . . .
"Oi, Hiei, wake up! Or else I'll finish all the chocolates by myself!" Hiei painfully pried his eyes open and found himself staring right into to a pair of very bright emerald eyes.
"Kurama, go to sleep. It's too early to wake up," he mumbled and buried his head into the pillow.
"That means you don't want this?" he smelled the scent of roses, but when he opened his eyes, the chocolate was in Kurama's hand, who was across the room. He groaned and tried to lie down again, but the fragrance was like a hand, pulling him up. But he wanted to sleep so much . . .
With a burst of speed, he leapt up and dived for the candy flower. He got what he wanted, and also something he didn't expect. The force of his leap sent him off balance and tumbling onto Kurama. They crashed onto the ground with Hiei on top. This gave him a sense of deja vu. Oh, yes, on the mountain . . .He vowed to himself to never lose control again, so instead, he closed his eyes and continued lying there, his head on Kurama's chest.
The soft pounding of his heart and the even rise and fall of his chest all seemed like a lullaby. The smell of roses was still there, though he didn't know whether it came from Kurama or the chocolate. The drowsiness still hadn't left him, and he could feel himself being lulled into a slumber. It certainly was more comfortable than the bed.
Why did Valentines' Day fall on such a green season? What did it really present?
Kurama could feel Hiei relaxing, and knew he was falling back to sleep. Hiei was always on the alert, anywhere, anytime, and even around Yusuke and Kuwabara. In fact, Kurama had never seen Hiei sleeping in peace before, but now, it was already the second time he had fallen asleep in front of Kurama. It made him feel special.
Green represents love that's newly formed, that's refreshing but sometime sour. This kind of love is vulnerable, and like the new sprout, could easily treaded upon, but it just happens that this vulnerability, this innocence, is also the most beautiful and full of life. The fruit was still unripe, that's why people admire it, hope that it would grow up soon, but never attempt to touch it. It is still pure.
Valentine's Day falls on this green season to remind people of the purity in love they once had, that what sort of person they were. It was nice to know that you had once been naïve.
He gently wrapped his arms around the sleeping figure lying on top of him, closed his eyes to savor this rare chance.
As the sun slowly set, colours were also swept away with it. Who knows when we would wake up to find the fields covered with brilliant flowers, and no longer green? It sounded beautiful, but was it really was?
The sun glided across the horizon, dyeing the clouds to a scarlet more bright than any rose ever seen. It was giving people a last glimpse of colours before the day ended. The green fields were now coated with a golden layer of sunshine. Why was that something is always most beautiful the moment before it disappears?
"Happy Valentine's Day, Hiei," Kurama whispered in the slowly darkening room. Hiei made a small noise, then buried himself deeper into the embrace. At least tonight they won't be lonely.
The green went away with the sun. Would it return tomorrow?