Well now, we've been through a lot of sadness during this story, haven't we? Well, I believe that the majority of the sadness has been put behind us, and now it's time for the wrapping up of a few things unsorted. This is, I suppose, simply a filler chapter, but I would like to think that I don't put in anything that isn't of some worth, eh? Just three more chapters to go after this one, so do hang in there.
The weather was evident that Summer was approaching. The day was warm, and the rain from the preceding night contributed to the stifling humidity. To compensate, a cool breeze blew through the city and the surrounding countryside.
Said breeze found its way to the Temple, rustling through the branches of the Sakura. The midday Sun beat down on the world below, but the Tree afforded a generous amount of shade. Those who wished to could seek refuge from the heat, could tread on the moist grass and fallen cherry blossoms, could breathe in the air, heavily perfumed with the aroma of flowers.
Today, however, the only occupants of this shade were two mounds. Each one was adorned with a black marker engraved with white characters to identify who lay beneath, and a rosebush.
At a mere glance, it was obvious that the grave on the right was older. Its stone was slightly weathered, it was surrounded by grass and small wildflowers, and its rosebush was larger. The other's stone retained its newly-bought look, the earth around it was fresh and broken, its rosebush still young stems with a few leaves.
The breeze picked up, grabbing a handful of Sakura flowers and carrying them high up in the air and over the city. The petals danced in the wind for a time, then came to scatter and settle down upon the ground.
"Eikichi! Don't eat that!"
Despite Kuwabara's admonishments, the cat continued to chew on the silken blossoms, swallowed them, and went off on her way.
Kuwabara shrugged and went back inside. Over the years he'd come to learn that if a cat really wanted to do something, it'd do it regardless of who said what. 'Kind of like people,' he thought gloomily. People also did as they wished, even if they were advised otherwise. Even if their decisions were harmful. Even if they proved fatal.
"Nice weather," Shizuru observed, looking out the window.
"Yeah," he replied half-heartedly, sitting down at the table and staring at the wood grains.
"But maybe not for funerals," she said, noticing his low spirits.
"Why did it have to be sunny?" he complained. "I mean, it rained for Hiei, right? Why couldn't the sky cry for Kurama too?"
"You can't control the weather. It doesn't have a thing to do with Hiei, or Kurama, or anyone." But if it did, then perhaps it hadn't rained because, in her opinion, Kurama's death was a less tragic one. One he'd chosen for himself. Besides, in the state he'd been in, perhaps this was a mercy death. But she said none of this out loud.
She looked over at Kuwabara. He was still staring at the table. "Will you quit feeling sorry for yourself?"
"Gee, sorry I'm upset that my friend died," he spat. "I thought he was your friend, too."
"He is. But there was nothing we could do. Kurama chose this." Kuwabara muttered a string of incoherent words. "Okay, I get it. He just died. I'm sorry. I miss him too you know. But if you have to feel sorry for someone, feel sorry for the kids."
He grunted in reply, but he could see her point. During the entire funeral the babies had been unable to keep still. They would twist their bodies about this way and that, the expression on their faces clearly stating that they were searching for Kurama. It was pitiful. After the ordeal was over, and the Fox had been put in the ground, and the Hatanakas were taking them home, all the babies did was wail. As though, somewhere in the back of their young minds, they knew what was happening.
"Fine," he said. "Maybe you're right. But what am I supposed to do now? Should I go visit his family, or is it too soon yet? Should I leave them alone for awhile? What else is there to do? It'd be kind of disrespectful if I did something like go see a movie; he only died yesterday…."
"Maybe you should get ready for work," his sister said, eying the clock.
"Work?" He furrowed his brow, contemplating whether or not that would be appropriate.
"People live and people die. But you'll get fired if you don't do your job."
"That doesn't even rhyme," he grumbled as he headed for the shower.
"Besides," Shizuru called after him, "not going to work would be something you'd do out of respect if Yusuke died. Kurama was the good one, remember?"