Lotus

It was unknown whether Shaka loved lotus flowers because he was the reincarnation of Buddha or not. Other people might think so, but the Virgo Saint himself never really gave much thought about it. He simply appreciated the delicate flowers, though they indeed had a special meaning to him. However living in Athens was analogous to rarely having chances to enjoy lotuses, since the plant was not compatible with the temperate climate in Greece.

Fortunately, the young Virgo knight was recently appointed to a mission in India, his homeland, during the heat of June. Being brought to the Sanctuary at a very young age, ever since then, Shaka had not frequently come back. Even now as a teenager, this was, to his memory, probably just the fifth or sixth time he went back to India. So evidently, he would try to linger here as long as possible after accomplishing his task.

Of all places, the young demigod's most favored ones were unsurprisingly lotus ponds. It was calm and quiet there. Shaka loved to bath in the pleasantly cool water, feel the chill in contrast to the heat of the sunlight while surrounded by the holy flowers. Summer was the season of lotus, it was when the flowers bloomed and the lakes were filled with their miraculous colors and fragrance. That delicacy stirred his heart everytime, reminded him of a bittersweet memory from the far, dear childhood.

.

It was a hot, dry summer noon in the little Gold Saints were lying lazily on the grass under the twin Sala trees in the Virgo temple's garden. They were all tired after a hard training morning and hoped to find some peace within the tranquil garden.

'You're just like lotus.' Little Shaka said fondly as he caressed the silky pinkish hair of his Aries friend.

'How?' Mu turned to his blond friend and asked quietly. He was sleepy, but curiosity was enough to keep him awake.

'Your colors, pinkish hair, green eyes.' Shaka listed, at the same time could not help smiling at his own words. 'And even your skin, white lotus has the same fair color as your skin.'

'Really?'

'Yes, and...' The blond moved closer to his friend and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. 'Both smell good, also.'

Mu chuckled shyly at the comment, but much to the sudden touch. He rolled to Shaka's side, asked sheepishly. 'That is... a good thing, right?'

'Of course, lotus is my most favorite type of flowers.' Shaka stated. And as the words came out, he also wondered, did he cherish Mu because he was like a lotus, or because of the similar traits that made he fancy the flower more and more.

'I wish I could see lotus to know what it's like.' Mu confessed sincerely.

'You never saw lotus before?'

'No.' The Aries boy shook his head slightly. 'Only in the pictures. The weather in Tibet is too cold to grow lotuses.'

'I see.' Shaka said quietly. Then after just a few seconds, his voice sounded cheerful again. 'Then I will build a lotus pond there, and every summer we can enjoy the flowers together.'

Mu looked at his friend in astonishment, he was totally surprised at Shaka's idea. But as he saw the sparkles in the bright blue eyes, he smiled sweetly. 'I'm looking forward to it, then.'

.

Eight years, eight years had passed since that day and Shaka had never forgotten that smile, not for a single moment. And as he was here, in midst of a sea of lotuses, his mind was filled with the images of Mu.

'Mu...' Shaka called softly as he touched a flower and brough it close to his nose. The caress of the petals reminded him of Mu's tenderness, and its scent, the same as his delicate aroma. The Virgo felt his heart clenched with pain and grief as he realised, when Mu went away, he was yet to fulfill his promise.

.

Two months after the mission, Shaka came back with some seeds of lotus and a determination to build a lotus pond for real. Unlike his younger self, the current Shaka knew that the task was extremely difficult, everyone said it was silly, to grow a tropical plant in a temperate climate region. But it was not impossible, the flowers would bloom, he knew. And by the time Mu came back to him, they could finally sit by the pond and enjoy the view together, like he promised.

Definitely.

'Mu, I built a lotus pond for you just like I promised. The flowers will soon bloom, and I will be here waiting. Till the day we meet again, I will be here.'


[Three days left]