The Bouquet of Orange Blossoms…
Bouquet in this sense meaning scent, but could also be taken as a bunch of flowers.
About this story: This fiction is directly related to my one-shot Orange Wedges (a fan-request from shadow dragon). I suggest reading it; it's short and like I said, it's a one-shot. In fact, you could even call this multi-chaptered work a direct sequel to Orange Wedges.
Another thing; this is the very first "The Candy Series" fic that has made it beyond the one-shot norm, and quite possibly the only.
Not a fan of Kuwabara-Kurama? I wasn't either, until I finished Orange Wedges. So give it a chance, and don't forget to review.
Warnings: Shounen-Ai (Boy-boy romances).
Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho © Yoshihiro Togashi.
The Candy Series: The Bouquet of Orange Blossoms
By Zelia Theb
The leaves fall around us, swirling around like a tornado before settling on the grass, and even once, on our picnic. The two of us, we coincide with nature, his brightly colored orange haired complimenting the leaves that fall; and my own red locks matching the veins which run through them.
Our date is nearly over; I've already packed our empty dishes from the meal I prepared back into the basket. It's wonderfully serene; the noise from the city is distant, and all we can hear is the sound of nature, our words, and our laughter.
I am simply amazed every time I gaze upon him. Kazuma Kuwabara…when I see him I see strength, honor, purity, and trust. His chiseled features and tall, built physique really make me appear feminine in comparison, but I pay no mind to it.
I'm in love with him.
I've made my vow; I shall give him due time to become adjusted to our relationship, not only because I respect him, but because that fact alone makes me feel more human.
"Hey, did I tell ya what Urameshi did today at school?" he smiles. It seems as though my thoughts have caused me to disregard the fact that he's moved considerably close to me now; and his hand is only inches from my own. It teases me; but I must be thoughtful of my promise not to rush him. Though it has been at least two weeks since I brought him the candies and confessed my feelings to him; it feels like forever. Just one gentle touch, just one caress…I suppose that this is the art of courting.
"No, you haven't," I reply coyly, "I'm certain that it's rather mischievous." I stroke the blanket softly, impatience rising in my fingertips.
"Well," he chuckles coarsely, "He was pretty pissed 'cause Keiko was yellin' at him again, so he went to the roof of the school. But I guess some kids were up there waitin' to pick a fight with him. So then I found him 'cause Botan wanted me to look for him, and it turns out that…" He stops…
Because I've placed my hand over his. I fold the tips of my fingers over his and squeeze lightly, then say, "Go on."
"So, yeah…" he laughs nervously, a blush crossing his high cheekbones, "Well in the end, Urameshi whooped the punks and got smacked by Keiko anyway…yeah, it's not all that important." Rubbing his free hand through the curled hairs on the back of his head, his other lifts a bit and turns, returning my hold.
He can't look at me though, but why? Is he afraid that I'll pursue something more? No; Kazuma…Shuichi is polite, even if he is but a boy in love with you.
"I…I'm sorry, Kurama," he apologizes suddenly, head still titled downward to his knees, "I'm thankful that you've been so patient with me, it's just that…I dunno if I can ever get used to this." My heart leaps unhealthily, but at least… No, I shall not give up so easily!
"I mean, uh." He stammers as he sees my face; I must have shown emotion, but perhaps that is my problem. He corrects himself, "I guess, I dunno, I'm just not ready for that yet." I blink. Certainly, the fact that he was once a straight boy doesn't necessarily mean that his belief means holding hands leads to naked intima…
"I'm sure you're good to kiss, and all, what with all the girls and stuff clamoring over you, not to mention your life in the demon world…hehe." There's that nervous chuckle again; "I just think that kissing would be too much of a change. I wanna wait longer."
I succumb to the pure and joyous laughter welling in my throat. He looks at me, puzzled as to why I'm suddenly laughing at myself. I answer, "It's just that…Oh, I thought that the absolute worst scenario was happening, and…goodness. I just want to hold your hand. While I'd like nothing more than to kiss you, I'd love it even more if you wanted to…and…"
"And?" he grins from my stupidity.
"And I've never kissed anyone as Shuichi," I end bashfully. Yes, my days as the infamous thief Youko Kurama were indeed wild and…demonlike…but my life as the son of Shiori is a highly different matter.
"You've got to be lying!" he graciously accuses me.
"I am not!" I retort, starting what could very well become a game of "Uh-huh-Nuh-Uh".
"Well then!" he states, crossing his arms and throwing his nose into the air, "I guess someday, good ol' Kuwabara might have ta change that!"
"Is that so?" I quirk an eyebrow up. The thought excites me; I should not have doubted him at all. I can only imagine what it will be like..
Perhaps he we will be alone in my room, studying some night, and he will suddenly take my into his arms, a strong embrace enveloping my very soul before taking my lips into his. Or maybe after a candlelight dinner, I'll stand to retrieve dessert, and find myself pinned against the refrigerator…and….
"Yes, it is," he huffs in return, glancing at me out of the sides of his eye, but making it seem as if he's pretending not to look at me. Oh yes…I should really stop having these mid-conversation fantasies.
To be continued…
Author's Note
I've got nothing constructive or destructive this time around…so basically, don't forget to review! With something so experimental, I definitely want to hear some feedback.
Zelia
